Chelsea’s Frank Lampard gave pep talk to ‘fantastic’ Tammy Abraham after £53m signing of Timo Werner

Frank Lampard has challenged Tammy Abraham to continue improving to meet the ‘demands’ of Chelsea following the £53million signing of RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner. 

Signing the German international this week represented a major coup for the club but raised questions about what it means going forward for Abraham. 

Lampard, speaking in his Zoom press conference ahead of the weekend trip to face Aston Villa, revealed he had spoken to Abraham following the deal being announced.   

Tammy Abraham has been urged to keep improving at Chelsea by his boss Frank Lampard

Lampard spoke to Abraham after the club announced a £53m deal to acquire Timo Werner

In his Zoom press conference, Lampard admits he is pleased to have competition for places

‘I have spoken to Tammy before about competition,’ Lampard said. 

‘I don’t have to address every player if another one comes in. It’s how it has been in the Abramovich era. 

‘He has been fantastic this season. He has to sustain and improve because at Chelsea we have demands. I am happy to have options and competitions for places.’ 

Abraham will have added incentive to keep scoring goals when Chelsea return on Sunday

Werner scored his 26th Bundesliga goal of the season on Wednesday before sealing move

An inability to make signings last summer following the departure of Eden Hazard saw Lampard, who had left his position as Derby County boss to take over, turning to youth to overhaul his team,  with Abraham one of the biggest beneficiaries. 

The 22-year-old has scored 15 goals for the Blues this season but the incoming Werner, who will leave RB Leipzig as their all-time leading scorer, has 32 in all competitions. 

Lampard feels the arrival can be a good thing, rather than a negative, for Abraham as competition for places will bring the best from the players and the squad.

Werner has two more games left for Leipzig – one against Borussia Dortmund and one against FC Augsburg – and he will then leave the Bundesliga side to join up with his new team-mates. 

When quizzed on his big-name summer signing, Lampard was hugely complimentary of Werner on and off the pitch. 

The 24-year-old paid tribute to Leipzig supporters in a goodbye message on his Instagram 

‘Timo’s talent, humility and work ethic is one thing that stood out when I talked to him,’ Lampard added.

‘I think he is clearly a player we liked. I have certainly followed him for a while just as a talented player before I took this job. He will strengthen us, he is a huge talent who had a fantastic season.’ 

Chelsea, currently fourth ahead of their first game back following a three-month hiatus for the coronavirus pandemic, are preparing to take on struggling Aston Villa at Villa Park this weekend.   

The Blues are in competition with Manchester United, Sheffield United, Wolves and Tottenham for fourth place and with it a place in next season’s Champions League.