Frank Lampard

[Billy. 2,742]

The more i think about this, the more it does not bother me at all. Yes city are title rivals but thats as far as it goes, The only club based close to Chelsea i would accept Lampard going to would be Sutton United lol, To go to QPR, Millwall, Fulham, Charlton, Palace to name a few would for me kill what he has done at the club.

But as things stand for me the guy is still a legend for the club, still want the club to put a statue of him outside the ground

[ParNolio7 285]

The whole "proper fan" discussion has imo become irrelevant to our current time.

I can fully understand how local fans (which I think is a better term than "proper fans") can sometimes get annoyed by foreign supporters (like myself) who don't know/feel the history etc. as much as them. Who watch the matches on a screen instead of at the grounds (because of clear logistic and economical reasons of course but who cares), and so on.

But that's just something you have to live with if you're a local fan of an international top team. It's because of the millions of supporters around the world that your club gets to buy all the greatest players in the world and so on. A club like Chelsea needs us foreign supporters. If that is too much for you to cope with - and I would respect that - you have no choice but to support some first, second or third division team. If you love Chelsea to much (I bet you do), you need to embrace the foreign supporters as well, there's no other way.

Yes, supporting as a local fan or a foreign based fan is an entirely different thing, but everyone's entitled to an opinion. And I think everyone (locals and foreign) will hate to see Lampard play in sky blue this season, but some just express their disgust stronger than others. No one will forget though what Frank has meant for this club.

... still should've sticked to his word and not moved to another EPL club. Except if it were to be Sunderland or some other far away bottom half club no one cares about.

[The only place to be 11,313]

... still should've sticked to his word and not moved to another EPL club. Except if it were to be Sunderland or some other far away bottom half club no one cares about.

But that's what comes with being an 'international top team' who needs top players. You can't expect to employ these players and then get uppity when they join other 'international top teams'.

That's just something you have to live with if you're a fan of an 'international top team'.

[Amblève. 4,995]

After all the propaganda that's been written about JT he has the chance to become our one and only biggest legend ever now. He knows that and what's on the line. This is his moment to manifest his own "cult".

[Muzchap 8,966]

Think it's safe to say that being a proper fan, (or is using that term forbidden all of a sudden?) is being able to identify our geographical rivalries that have spanned for decades even before we existed.

When someone states that Frank should have been moved to QPR, that will inevitably raise some questions by other members. Kinell, hope there isn't a lad out there who would of suggested he moved to Millwall...

I would have my old man is a Lion

I don't mind them TBH - they play in Blue, have a Lion on their shirts - are never going to threaten us competitively

Plus they have worked hard to get rid of the media bias towards them - something we are doing - so I share their pain a little - plus they looked after my old man on his 60th when I paid for a VIP package...

[Muzchap 8,966]

Was chatting to some ex Pros (doing some Charity work with them)

Their take:

Frank has a contract - in his contract its 99% certain that he has a clause saying 'from time to time, not unreasonable etc, to perform services to affiliated contractual parties'

It's essentially a 'substitution' clause (happens in most contracts)...

Now, Frank might not like it - but he's not the kind of guy to breach a contract. So I think his hands are somewhat tied.

And Frank will likely keep his head down until he finishes the contract, then comment - that's just the way he is... (According to them - one of 'them' was Paul Terry - JT's brother/agent)

[ParNolio7 285]

But that's what comes with being an 'international top team' who needs top players. You can't expect to employ these players and then get uppity when they join other 'international top teams'.

Very true, but for me there's a clear difference between the vast majority of mercenaries, who switch clubs every couple of seasons and who no one really identifies with, and the true long-serving club icons like Lampard and Terry. You need a couple of those players to create a club identity. If they start switching as well, there's little left for a supporter to identify with. It quite simply doesn't feel right.

[DYC. 7,542]

Was chatting to some ex Pros (doing some Charity work with them)

Their take:

Frank has a contract - in his contract its 99% certain that he has a clause saying 'from time to time, not unreasonable etc, to perform services to affiliated contractual parties'

It's essentially a 'substitution' clause (happens in most contracts)...

Now, Frank might not like it - but he's not the kind of guy to breach a contract. So I think his hands are somewhat tied.

And Frank will likely keep his head down until he finishes the contract, then comment - that's just the way he is... (According to them - one of 'them' was Paul Terry - JT's brother/agent)

I'm sure the move to City was discussed before he signed the contract with NYC.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Was chatting to some ex Pros (doing some Charity work with them)

Their take:

Frank has a contract - in his contract its 99% certain that he has a clause saying 'from time to time, not unreasonable etc, to perform services to affiliated contractual parties'

It's essentially a 'substitution' clause (happens in most contracts)...

Now, Frank might not like it - but he's not the kind of guy to breach a contract. So I think his hands are somewhat tied.

And Frank will likely keep his head down until he finishes the contract, then comment - that's just the way he is... (According to them - one of 'them' was Paul Terry - JT's brother/agent)

Similarly, NYFC will not want to make their new superstar and "poster boy" (for want of a better term) unhappy. Of course he has agreed to the move to City. Let's not act like he's being held hostage there just because it makes us feel better.

[GodZola 630]

Think the name calling is below the belt but I fully understand why fans have 'vented'

I can't really fathom Frank's decision to put himself in this position where essentially he has gone back on his word, it wasn't like he didn't have a multitude of other offers and its not like he is short of doe?! For me this whole situation seems so out of character for Lamps being he is so articulate, for me its an error on his representatives and I will wait a couple of years before being judge and jury, I just can't understand why he would put himself in a position where he could potentially help a rival win the PL - there could be occasions where he scores or makes an assist in the last minute to gain them points that could just make the difference at the end of the season, then I wonder how fans feelings would be towards him? Just seems so illogical.

However it is his perogative to go wherever he feels fit to and he is free to do that, we also have to remember the guy gave his all in a Chelsea shirt giving us those emotional nights and a very successful period of our history, I wished that he had adopted Didier's approach and not put himself in this unfortunate position.

[The Mak 4,459]

That's actually a fair point but it's just the reality of the modern age where those prepared to say the most outrageous things garner the most attention which implies a standing they simply don't have. To use Terminator X's Fox News analogy once again (correctly) they have commentators who will say outrageous things simply to get attention in the next day's news cycle.

I'm guilty of reacting to his comments when the mature thing would simply be to ignore these 'extreme' views.

As for the first bit of your post, we've been over it before and it's not worth rehashing it. Good points though.

Fair enough man. Let's both agree not to be baited in future. The forum is a much better place for it.

[The Mak 4,459]

I'm sure the move to City was discussed before he signed the contract with NYC.

Similarly, NYFC will not want to make their new superstar and "poster boy" (for want of a better term) unhappy. Of course he has agreed to the move to City. Let's not act like he's being held hostage there just because it makes us feel better.

Nah. I like to imagine:

Frank signs the NYC contract.

Handshakes and smiles all around, photos etc. etc.

Frank: "Great! I can't wait to start! So will I just book my flight to Melbourne for the meantime? Or can I train at Chelsea?"

Sheik: ".........."

*Long pause*

Suddenly, Manuel Pellegrini jumps out of a cupboard at the back of the room! He smells of Jack Rodwell's tears and has a mischievous grin...and probably a floppy rubber very real gun.

Pellegrini: "Surprise bitch!"

[iseah100 5,612]

Nah. I like to imagine:

Frank signs the NYC contract.

Handshakes and smiles all around, photos etc. etc.

Frank: "Great! I can't wait to start! So will I just book my flight to Melbourne for the meantime? Or can I train at Chelsea?"

Sheik: ".........."

*Long pause*

Suddenly, Manuel Pellegrini jumps out of a cupboard at the back of the room! He smells of Jack Rodwell's tears and has a mischievous grin...and probably a floppy rubber very real gun.

Pellegrini: "Surprise bitch!"

I like this... this is now what I believe happened.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

It's good you're not over-reacting to this or anything... I suppose he'll also then go on to go back in time and kill the baby jesus before coming back to knock ice creams out of orphans hands when his contract is up with City.

Post of the century.

[Thendo 1,088]

Official...

http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Team-news/2014/August/Lampard-joins-City-on-loan

[petr.breu 1,618]

Frank will wear the no.18 shirt during his time in Manchester.

[ParNolio7 285]

Can someone imagine Lampard scoring his first goal for City? What's he gonna do: run screaming towards City fans, kiss their embly??

Maybe he'll f*ck up deliberately to help us a hand??

Nah, too much of a professional for that.

*Sigh*

[Melanicus 5,208]

Lampard was recently unveiled as New York City FC’s fourth signing. After meetings with manager Manuel Pellegrini at City's New York headquarters, it was decided that Frank will train and play with the Premier League champions ahead of teaming up with Jason Kreis' New York City set-up for their inaugural season.

He will train with his Manchester City colleagues this morning for the first time and will be registered to the Club and be available for selection.

He said: "Joining up with Manchester City is a fantastic opportunity for me to continue to train and play at the top level and make sure I am in top condition for New York City.

"It has been an amazing few days for me since the unveiling in Brooklyn and everyone connected with both clubs has been fantastic to me. This is a new chapter of my career and I'm really excited about the experience.

"I met Manuel and some of the players in New York and I'm looking forward to getting into training and making a contribution for Manchester City ahead of my move over to New York."

New York City FC Sporting Director, Claudio Reyna, said: "This is the perfect opportunity for Frank. He is in great shape following the World Cup, and training and playing with our colleagues in Manchester will enable to Frank to be fit and ready for our inaugural training camp.

"Everyone has been hugely impressed with Frank's positivity, and 'm sure he will bring a lot to City during his stint with the club. We wish him well for his spell with Manchester City and look forward to welcoming him back to New York in the New Year."

Manchester City manager Pellegrini was delighted to welcome Frank into his squad. He said: "Frank is a world class midfielder and this is an opportunity which works perfectly for everyone, the player, Manchester City, and New York City.

"I'm looking forward to working with him and integrating him into our squad. New York have made a fantastic signing by recruiting Frank, and I'm really pleased that we'll be able to have him with us for the first half of our season and help prepare him for his new challenge."

Lampard is available for all of Manchester City’s domestic and European games, taking up squad number 18.

So, he knew about this & was okay with it before he signed contract. Shame.