‘Lampard didn’t really want to sign Werner or Havertz’

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 19 May 2021 12:54 BST
• 2 min read

Harry Redknapp claims that Frank Lampard had little input in deciding which players Chelsea signed last summer.

Lampard was sacked as manager of the Blues earlier this week following a dismal run of form that saw them languishing in midtable.

This was deemed unacceptable for a club that splashed around €250 million on new signings last summer, including Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech, Edouard Mendy and Thiago Silva.

However, Redknapp – who is Lampard’s uncle – claims that the only one of these signings who his nephew really wanted was left-back Chilwell.

“Anyone thinking that the manager is the one responsible for the big-money signings these days has the wrong idea of modern football. That’s not how it works any more,” Redknapp wrote in The Sun.

“Years ago of course they would be the one scouting players, watching them play, basically doing the deals. Not now, though.

“These days it is pretty much all down to the head of recruitment, which means you are relying on someone else’s judgment.

“Chelsea spent fortunes on new players and as manager you’re under pressure — not only to play them — but for them also to be an instant success.

“When they don’t, like the two Germans Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, then the buck stops with the boss.

“But I’m sure Frank isn’t the one behind all the signings Chelsea have made.

“I’d say the only one he was mad keen on getting was Ben Chilwell. That’s how crazy the game has become.”

Chilwell was dropped by new Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel for Sunday’s 2-0 win against Burnley – starting Marcos Alonso instead, who scored a brilliant goal.