Chelsea appeal transfer ban as chiefs plan to use Man City case to clear way for signings

Chelsea hope to be able to start signing players again in January after appealing against their two-window transfer ban.

The Stamford Bridge club have lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport to have their two-window ban reduced to the one they have already served this summer.

The club were hit with the ban after being found guilty of breaking regulations over the signing of players under the age of 18.

Chelsea intend to cite in their defence the example of Manchester City, who escaped a ban after admitted similar breaches of the rules.

New Chelsea manager Frank Lampard was unable to sign any players last summer, though two ‘new’ players did arrive in person of Mateo Kovacic and Christian Pulisic, because they were already registered before the ban took effect.