The likelihood of a debut for Manchester United’s January signing, Odion Jude Ighalo against Chelsea on Monday has attracted a critical comment by The Blues’ boss, Frank Lampard, who acknowledged that it would a different quality of The Red Devils his side will be up against, megasportsarena.com reports.
While noting that United have added Ighalo and Bruno Fernandes to their squad during the past transfer window, Lampard admitted he will have to conjure new tactics in order to contain his impending visitors at Stamford Bridge.
Wirth Ighalo looking good to play a role with his dream club in Monday’s English Premier League cracker, which would be the former Super Eagles’ star’s first match back in England, after moving to China in 2017, Lampard is anticipating a tough game.
He stated categorically that Chelsea will have to be extra cautious during the game, because their rivals have bolstered their squad with the signing of Ighalo and Fernandes in the January transfer window, which means it will be a different ball game.
He is also hoping that the result will be different than it was in the reverse fixture back in August 2019, when United comfortably beat Chelsea 4-0, with two goals from now injured Marcus Rashford as well as one each by Anthony Martial and Daniel James.
While Ighalo joined United on loan from Shanghai Greenland Shenhua of China for rest of the campaign, attacking midfielder Fernandes was acquired on a permanent basis from Sporting Lisbon of Portugal, and showed glimpses of his quality on his debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Both new men are now expected to beef up United’s quality against The Blues, as they step up their race for a UEFA Champions spot, with fourth-placed Chelsea currently holding a six-point lead on eighth-placed Man U, which means Ighalo’s team cannot afford to drop points.
That is the scenario heading into Monday’s clash in London, and Lampard admits it will take a lot of tinkering and caution for his side to make the best of playing in from of their adoring faithful, even as he hinted that the new arrivals at Old Trafford have to be watched very closely.
Lampard said: “They are a good team, have added some players in January. I do expect a tough game on Monday and it’s a direct rival. With football that gaps can chop and change. We are aware of the points; United and Spurs are big games.”
