Lampard: Chelsea duo could leave but Batshuayi is staying

Frank Lampard has indicated that Michy Batshuayi will be staying at Chelsea but Davide Zappacosta and Tiemoue Bakayoko could leave before the European transfer window closes.

Batshuayi is below Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud in the pecking order of strikers at Stamford Bridge.

Reports have suggested that the Belgian, who has been on loan at Crystal Palace and Borussia Dortmund, could be off again.

But Lampard suggested otherwise when asked about Batshuayi’s future at a news conference on Friday.

He said: “The future is Michy is here as one of our strikers. We have three strikers this year and there will be opportunities for him.

“With Michy it’s important that he trains at a top, top level every day, gets himself absolutely fit to play the way I want my strikers to play, which will be constant movement – on and off the ball – and obviously to try and score goals.

“He’s very much our player and competing with Tammy and Ollie for that space.”

However, Zappacosta and Bakayoko could well leave the Bridge in the next couple of weeks.

Out-of-favour midfielder Bakayoko is wanted by Galatasary and his former club Monaco.

And Lampard is keen to promote Reece James when the young full-back recovers from an ankle injury, which could pave the way for Zappacosta, who has been linked with a return to his native Italy, to move on.

“That’s not clear yet. Zappacosta is our player and Reece is probably out for three more weeks,” Lampard said. “So that’s a decision that will be made as we go on.

“I’ve been really impressed with Zappa’s attitude, quality and how he’s trained.

“We have to make sure we’re happy with the squad by the time the European window shuts. That will be a decision for us and of course Zappa, because I want players happy.

“The professionalism he has shown since he’s been here has been great and that can be an ongoing conversation.

“It’s similar with both players (Zappacosta and Bakayoko). They obviously haven’t started the season for us. Both of them have shown really good application and not been a problem.

“The decision will be what’s best for the club and for them individually as well.”