CRYSTAL PALACE are favourites to be Frank Lampard’s next destination.
And amid what is expected to be a huge summer of upheaval at Selhurst Park, the former Chelsea boss could mould an exciting new team for next season.
Lampard, 42, was sacked by the Blues in January after 18 months at the helm.
But he hasn’t been short of offers since.
He recently said: “I’ve had some opportunities that have come up in the last six weeks, two months, that have been flattering but not the right thing.
“The opportunities weren’t quite right but I think about it. It would be something I’m keen to do, at the right time, at the right place.”
With Betfair placing Palace as 1/3 favourites to be Lamps’ next club, let’s imagine what he could do with the Eagles next term.
The former England star, who played under current Selhurst boss Roy Hodgson for the Three Lions, would likely use the 4-3-3 he tended to favour while at Stamford Bridge,
Vicente Guaita would continue in goal, although back-ups Wayne Hennessey and Stephen Henderson are among 15 players set to be out of contract.
Exciting young full-back Nathan Ferguson arrived from West Brom last summer, but hasn’t been able to take to the field yet after suffering a serious knee injury.
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Lampard’s arrival could perfectly coincide with the exciting 20-year-old’s return – and he can take stalwart Joel Ward’s place in the team – with Nathaniel Clyne also expected to leave.
Gary Cahill, Mamadou Sakho, Martin Kelly and Scott Dann are among those set to be out of contract – but Lampard could pull some strings to recruit Marc Guehi from Chelsea to replace them.
The young defender was handed his Blues debut by Lamps last season, and has impressed enough on loan at Swansea this term to suggest that he could make the step up to partner James Tomkins next year.
Left-back Tyrick Mitchell was linked with a move to Arsenal, but could cement himself in the team after signing a deal, following possible exits for Patrick van Aanholt and Jeff Schlupp.
Jairo Riedewald has had a breakthrough year at Selhurst, and could anchor a new-look midfield featuring a talented up and comer and a familiar face.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek impressed enough at Palace during the 2017-18 season to earn a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the World Cup.
And after a stuttering spell at Fulham, he could return to Selhurst in order to rekindle the magic next year.
Another Chelsea star to arrive could be midfielder Conor Gallagher, who has impressed on loan at West Brom this season.
Midfielders James McCarthy and James McArthur are expected to leave.
If Palace can keep Wilfried Zaha for another year, the Ivorian international could thrive on the left flank under Lampard, as Christian Pulisic did at times last season – while Ebere Eze is a great option.
And on the right side, Lampard may look to reunite with Harry Wilson, who scored 18 goals for his Derby side on loan from Liverpool in the 2018-19 campaign.
With Christian Benteke and Connor Wickham set to leave, and Jean-Philippe Mateta to depart following the end of his loan, Palace will have a gap to fill upfront.
And who better to do so for Lampard, than Chelsea’s No9 Tammy Abraham.
The talented England striker scored 18 goals for the Blues last season.
But he appears to have been cast aside by Thomas Tuchel, opening the door to a potential exit.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
