Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has admitted that he cannot replace Eden Hazard.

The Blues are in a tricky situation, as they lost Hazard in the same summer they received a transfer ban.

While they did sign Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund in January, he is viewed as one for the future.

And Lampard acknowledges the gargantuan task of replacing Hazard.

The Chelsea manager said to reporters: "I was a huge fan of Hazard as a Chelsea fan. I played with him and he is clearly one of the best players in world football.

"Over his time at Chelsea, he was generally the most productive player in terms of assists and goals — and he was a leader.

"You cannot replace him individually, it's virtually impossible because of the high level he is at.

"But the good and positive news for us is that we have a group of players, some younger and some experienced players, who now have the opportunity to show collectively and individually they can step up, because we are missing a huge number of assists and goals.

"As a team, we have to find a way to carry on, because a football club like Chelsea will always carry on.

"Hazard, John Terry, Didier Drogba etc — players move on.

"Then it's down to the next players and the next manager to say good luck to Hazard but carry on as Chelsea."