Manchester
City's Frank Lampard is preparing for an uncomfortable Sunday afternoon when
he faces his old Chelsea team-mates, with both managers contradicting each
other on the reasons why the midfielder left in the first place.
The two favourites for the Premier League title go head-to-head in a match
being shown live on Sky Sports 1 (kick-off 4pm) and although there's a
chance Lampard may not feature - he's only played 45 minutes for City this
season so far - much of the pre-match discussions on Friday were focused on
the 36-year-old.
Lampard was released by Chelsea after 13 years at Stamford Bridge at the end
of last season and surprisngly signed for City's sister club New York City
before heading to the Etihad Stadium on loan to build up his fitness for the
Major League Soccer season.
Some reports have suggested Lampard, still to make his home debut, is
reluctant to play against his former employers, but City boss Manuel
Pellegrini insisted that was not the case.
The Chilean stated: "Frank is part of our squad and [on Saturday] I will
give the squad list for that game. For sure he will be involved in that
game. He is part of the squad. I don't think it is a difficult situation for
him.
"I think Frank didn't continue at Chelsea because they didn't want him, not
because he wanted to come here to Manchester City. He can't continue playing
in the team he played his whole life, but he has all the rights to continue
playing football. He arrived here and we are very happy with him."
However, the idea that Lampard was an unwanted commodity at Stamford Bridge
was a view not shared by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho who said the
midfielder's departure had been out of the club's hands.
Mourinho said: "It's football. If you'd said that four or five years ago, I
would have said it was strange. Even a few months ago, when he signed for
the New York team, I was not expecting this.
"But it was his decision. When he left for New York, I thought he was going
there. But it's his life, his decision, and he has my respect for that."
Lampard's move upset some Chelsea fans who accused him of betrayal after the
former England international had declared he could not see himself playing
for another Premier League club.
He remains optimistic of being well received by his old fans. Speaking two
weeks ago, Lampard said: "I don't see it as a slight on anyone if I take
part. I have nothing but good feelings for [Chelsea] and know I'd get a good
reception.
"I know I said I'd never play for another Premier League club and I never
thought I would. I left Chelsea and my feeling was to go to play abroad. So
I signed for New York - which is a great chance for me - entirely in good
faith.
"I know people say it was a set-up situation for me then to go to City. It
wasn't. The only thing I hadn't worked out was how to stay fit before
starting in the States. But then City approached me to train, play and be
part of the squad. A fantastic club. It just made complete sense."
top