Frank Lampard

[edetarod 2,155]

don't bother coming back for your testimonial Frank

[Spike 12,049]

Locked for the time being as everyone is very emotional and crazy right now. I'd like for everyone to resume these discussions in a more level-headed manner.

Embarassing thread, some of you are showing RAWKish behaviour.

[Jase 43,479]

Lampard joining a rival (well title-contending rival) is a shock because we're so used to seeing the dependable Frank Lampard on the pitch or on the bench in Chelsea colours....seeing him in a City jersey will be a weird feeling

Mourinho joining a rival club wouldn't be a shock to fans because managers do it all the time

Not the same thing at all. Mourinho is a world-class manager who will still be one of the best even at 40,50,60 years of age. Whereas Lampard is a club icon and has been the club's "face" for such a long time and at the age of 36 has little to offer footballing terms - though his influence in the dressing room and the experience he brings to the squad can't be underestimated. Wouldn't be easier and more respectful to spend the 6 months somewhere else and not upset majority of fanbase? Football is business but you'd expect that kind of mutual respect from a player like Lampard. Question is why City if it's only 6 months anyway? Only reason I can think of is that he still wants to get into England team. I do wish him well though, been a loyal servant of the club for such a long time, this move won't change much in my eyes.

Managers change clubs all the time and top-top managers are hard to come by, especially as impressive record as Mourinho has in the Premier League and also in other clubs. So no, it'd be quite understandable (although strange) to see Mourinho as the manager of some of our direct rival club and I'd wish him well especially if we have a manager at our club who is doing well.

I don't necessarily disagree with your points in general but let's not pretend as if Mourinho was just another manager at the club. We all have much more emotional attachment with him than we do with other managers. If Ancelotti or Hiddink, who we like, joins one of our rivals, think we all can still live with it because they were only here for a short period of time. But not with Mourinho. He declared himself as one of us and the fans no doubt take him as one of us too. If he joins United, City etc, there will be outrage. And I remembered some here even went ballistic at the rumours(!) that he might join United before his eventual return.

Edited August 3, 2014 by Jason

[Jase 43,479]

Thread unlocked. I hope everyone has calmed down...

[Korea 734]

its yaya>fernandinho, than who knows if its fernando or lampard next, because garcia, rodwell both suck ass...

Good chance he plays signficantly in his loan term.

[MetsajCFC 1,255]

I don't necessarily disagree with your points in general but let's not pretend as if Mourinho was just another manager at the club. We all have much more emotional attachment to him than we do with other managers. If Ancelotti or Hiddink, who we like, joins one of our rivals, think we all can still live with it. But not with Mourinho. He declared himself as one of us and I think the fans take him as one of us too. If he joins United, City etc, there will be outrage. And I remembered some here even went ballistic at the rumours that he might join United before his eventual return to us.

Valid points, can't argue

[Term-X 7,891]

its yaya>fernandinho, than who knows if its fernando or lampard next, because garcia, rodwell both suck ass...

Good chance he plays signficantly in his loan term.

Doesn't really change anything mate, in fact.. if anything it makes it worse. Especially since he could have trained and ran around cones anywhere. Beckham trained with Arsenal to stay fit for LA, Lamps could have done that with uncle Harry at QPR 'unofficially'. And then of course, 'the crux of the issue' is that he shouldn't have signed for a City affiliated club in the first place.

[Blue Armour 4,278]

He couldn't go to Australia cause New York wouldn't allow that. Only City because City need an English player. He has no say in it apart from agreeing a contract.

No doubt about it..even if Lampard was more than aware of the possibility, this was the City's doing. Pellegrini and his mind games..yuck..

[Term-X 7,891]

No doubt about it..even if Lampard was more than aware of the possibility, this was the City's doing. Pellegrini and his mind games..yuck..

^ Lampard advocated the mind games the minute he signed the contract. Who do you blame, the guy who pushed the button or the guy who manufactured the button?

[Rambo 1,729]

Just picturing a world where frank lampard is giving advice to man city on how to beat us in a game.

[The_Flash 1,144]

I just saw the interview on SSN with Carvalho (sp?) and he seems alms of speechless really stunned and I felt disappointed about Franks choice.

They showed jose saying he has no problem with it of course he isn't going to say anything but I tell you him and a lot of the chelsea family will be pretty shocked and hurt by this decision. I rally can't believe he thinks this is a clever move. I thought you wouldn't play for another PL club I mean look at Becks he alwsys said he wouldn't play for another PL club and he didn't.

They showed Wenger who looked about as stunned as the rest of us but he said something which is probably due that city are tying to get FFP.

I still can't believe it, feel petty sick.!

[different level 1,056]

Oh ffs, here we go again with the real world employee comparisons, this is not Salomon Kalou.. this is a cult figure. Lampard's status at this club comes with it responsibility, Cole & Drogba handled themselves with class when they left; why can't Frank show the same respect to the fans and his legacy.

Frank has built his reputation here over for more than a decade, he gave the club his best years. What kind of responsibility are you talking about? I guess you don't think the club has a responsibility to keep him until he retires, what is Lamps responsible for after he was released?

He has shown the respect he has for the club and the fans times and times again, you are the one who chose to have a selective memory from what I read in your other posts as I see you keep mentioning 9/11, AVB and Man City when referring to Lampard and nothing else.

Btw, I'm pretty sure you deserve a ban for that picture.

[Term-X 7,891]

From what I've read it has been explained to you a couple of times. Frank has built his reputation here over for more than a decade, he gave the club his best years? What kind of responsibility are you talking about? I guess you don't think the club has a responsibility to keep him until he retires, what is Lamps responsible for after he was released?

He has shown the respect he has for the club and the fans times and times again, you are the one who chose to have a selective memory from what I read in your other posts as I see you keep mentioning 9/11, AVB and Man City when referring to Lampard and nothing else.

Btw, I'm pretty sure you deserve a ban for that picture.

When you become a cult icon and symbol of the club.. that transcends what you've done during a playing career. Football is about tribalism, Lampard isn't just a former employee like Salomon Kalou.. he's Chelsea personified. That 'responsibility' you are questioning is dealing with the fact you're an ambassador of the club. It's the relationship you have with the fans, saying what he said in 2013 demonstrates a lack of class and respect. Signing for the family of our direct rivals in the first place, goes to show this guy has no affinity with Chelsea.

Bringing up the 9/11 stunt and the AVB sabotage was about context in relation to this, not selective memory.

[JDY 1,290]

Those burning shirts did look ridiculously fake/unrelated at first glance. Embarrassing the lengths opposing fans go to

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Omg, are City actually putting 3 stars over their badge?! Lampard is joining a club with small club mentality... smh.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Doesn't really change anything mate, in fact.. if anything it makes it worse. Especially since he could have trained and ran around cones anywhere. Beckham trained with Arsenal to stay fit for LA, Lamps could have done that with uncle Harry at QPR 'unofficially'. And then of course, 'the crux of the issue' is that he shouldn't have signed for a City affiliated club in the first place.

didn't you hear, apparently he "doesn't have a choice".. Like apparently he's been held hostage.

[Namika 922]

I just don't understand it.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

In few years once he retires he will go and become part of mancity coach board instead of us.

↑ hope that wont happe but it could...