Steven Gerrard

[the wes 7,212]

Chelsea will make a third attempt to sign Steven Gerrard from Liverpool if, as expected, Frank Lampard leaves at the end of the season. Jose Mourinho, Chelsea's former manager, was twice out of luck when he tried to buy the Liverpool captain. However, fortune may well smile on his successor, Avram Grant, whose title hopes were raised yesterday when leaders Manchester United could only draw 1-1 at Blackburn thanks to a late goal from Carlos Tevez. Chelsea are three points behind United, who visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Gerrard almost joined Chelsea in June 2004 for £20m, and again 12 months later, for £32m, after the Anfield captain reacted to the interest by submitting a transfer request. He changed his mind only after his family received death threats and a fan burned his replica shirt live on Sky TV.

Now Grant will try to make it third time lucky, if he survives in the job beyond the end of the season and, as seems likely, Lampard leaves to take on a fresh challenge.

Grant, whose Chelsea side meet Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday, said: "Gerrard is a great player and a great person. For me, he is the player of the year in England, and maybe in Europe, because of the influence he has on the team. I like him very much as a player and I know him. He is a nice guy and an example to others. He plays against me, but he's still my favourite player."

Grant added that he greatly admired the England midfielder's versatility, pointing to his success in a new role, playing off Fernando Torres, Liverpool's main striker. He said: "I'm not surprised; he has the quality to play in any position. In the one he is in now he probably feels more free."

Reminded that Mourinho had tried to sign him twice, Grant said: "If you can bring him to me, I will be happy." Gerrard and Lampard are widely considered too similar to play in the same England midfield, and Liverpool's dynamic leader would be a like-for-like replacement for Lampard, who is known to hanker after a move to Spain, and will probably end up wherever Mourinho resumes his managerial career. Like their playing styles, their records are much the same. Gerrard has scored 21 goals in all competitions this season, Lampard is Chelsea's leading scorer with 18, albeit in fewer games. For England, Gerrard has netted 12 times in 64 appearances, Lampard 14 in 60.

In terms of market value, Gerrard has the edge, if only because he is still only 27. Lampard will turn 30 in June. Rebuffed twice, Chelsea believe they could get their man this time because Gerrard is known to be unhappy about Liverpool's continued failure in the Premier League, and is appalled by the boardroom feud at Anfield and what the chief executive, Rick Parry, has called the washing of dirty linen in public.

It has also been noted at Stamford Bridge that in his autobiography, Gerrard admits to "looking long, and jealously, at Chelsea". Grant's comments are sure to add extra spice to Tuesday's clash at Anfield.

[Badboy 1,526]

The wes =

[manpe 10,861]

source ?

bullshit, I can never see the red diver in our team. And Lampard will fuckin stay what is this all talk about him leaving. I will say honestly if Lampard was to leave, I'd shed a tear or two. But if Gerrard was to replace him, I'd gush.

again - bullshit, can't see that happening. What I can see is Lampard signing a new record deal in EPL, committing his future to the almighty Blues.

[Badboy 1,526]

The wes =

[manpe 10,861]

I don't understand. Is the wes bullshitting ?

[Badboy 1,526]

I don't understand. Is the wes bullshitting ?

The wes is a bullshitter of the highest rank.

[diskoviolente 425]

i think i wouldn´t stand gerrard playing in a blue shirt.

why should he leave anfield ?

isn´t he one of the central players there ?

these rumors going to kill me one day......

i hate it.

shouldn´t read in the "rumour mill" till all the transfers are done

[BlueLion. 21,491]

The wes is a bullshitter of the highest rank.

We'll have no more of that, Badboy.

The Wes is not a bullshitter - all he is doing is posting threads in the Rumour forum - if you don't like it, don't read the topic. However, The Wes, if you continue to post stories without sources, the Staff may delete your posts. Sources are necessary to assess the reliability of a story.

[Laylabelle 9,376]

Just read it on the BBC...we dont want him lol!!Its fun watching him do his 'we can win the title' then look sad at the end of the season and Frank wont leave!He better not anyway.Lets just offer him what he wants then wont be having to look elsewhere

Edited April 20, 2008 by Laylabelle

[warnie_666 1,081]

I would hate to have him...fucking retard.

But would be awsome to tease the liverpool fans cus we would have their most prized asset.

[the wes 7,212]

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is keen to sign Liverpool captain Steve Gerrard in the summer.

Ancelotti has told pals the Blues will table a £30million bid for the England midfielder at the end of the season and test Liverpool’s resolve to hang on to their captain, who is becoming disillusioned with the lack of success at his home-town club.

Chelsea have failed twice to get Gerrard, 29, who vowed to stay for life when he signed a new £25million four-year deal this summer.

Another obstacle for the Blues is the Gael Kakuta row. Chelsea have appealed against a two-transfer-window ban imposed after being found guilty of enticing the youngster to break his contract with Lens.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Chelsea-ready-to-test-Liverpool-s-resolve-with-30million-bid-for-Steven-Gerrard-Exclusive-article254455.html

[BlueLion. 21,491]

All I'll say is LOL.

[Kez 2,727]

LOL YEAH RIGHT.

[Bandicoot 3]

Why would we want this talentless diving prick

[Shane 2,275]

We can't sign players in the summer.

[Laylabelle 9,376]

No he's really not!! Let him stay there and win fuck all!! Couldnt bear to see him in a Chels shirt lifting something..or in a Chels shirt full stop!

[Drogba11CFC 108]

I say sign him. The reserve team bench needs warming.

[Alee. 182]

I lol'd.