“The market knows this and as such we should be able to make a deal or two if we want to, that is still good value.

“There have been plenty of reports in the ether regarding Chelsea, from Zaha at Palace to Piatek at Milan and who knows how serious or informed any of these stories are.

“Most of the names mentioned have been impressive and obviously well-researched by the club’s people.

“Piatek would have been one of my first options a year ago, so I believe they are ‘all over’ the available players in the market that Frank Lampard has been interested in.

“It may also help that Man City, Liverpool and even Leicester City are not looking in the same places as we are at the moment.

“The teams above us in the league look fairly settled with their squads so it may make our deals that little bit more likely.”