CHELSEA reportedly snubbed a Deadline Day transfer for Salomon Rondon – despite bringing in NO new signings.
The Telegraph claims the Blues were offered a last-minute loan deal for the Dalian Yifang striker but turned it down.
Chelsea’s hierarchy apparently felt ex-Newcastle forward Rondon, 30, would not have improved the squad.
The Venezuelan has scored five goals in 11 in the Chinese Super League, and bagged 11 goals and seven assists to win Toon player of the year while on loan at West Brom last season.
Expectations were high among Chelsea fans, who had seen their transfer ban overturned in time for January after a summer of no spending.
But Frank Lampard was left furious with his bosses for delivering no new players despite his public pleas.
He blasted: “We probably become the underdogs and the outsiders because the teams around us have strengthened. Its a fact.
Every time I look at the TV, a player has signed for another club.
Manchester United have signed a world-class player and Sheffield United are making fantastic signings.
Tottenham have signed a few and theyre not far behind us.
We have now missed two windows and the fact we missed the last one made this a bit more crucial.
Chelsea failed to land Napoli star Dries Mertens or Edinson Cavani from Paris Saint-Germain to ease the pressure on Tammy Abraham.
The club has not signed a big-name player since 58million winger Christian Pulisic a year ago.
The lack of activity forced boss Lampard to block France ace Olivier Girouds desire to seek first-team football elsewhere with Euro 2020 looming.
To make matters worse both young defender Tariq Lamptey, 19, and midfielder Clinton Mola, 18, quit Chelsea yesterday.
Lampard said: We know recruitment is huge for a team that wants success.
Look no further than Liverpool and Manchester City in recent years. I have to be positive no matter what and I have to be truthful when I speak.
Chelsea fans are sitting listening and they want the best.
