Chelsea
boss Frank Lampard has insisted he wouldn't follow in Jose Mourinho's
footsteps by managing London rivals Tottenham in the future.
Mourinho, who has had two spells as Chelsea manager, replaced Mauricio
Pochettino as Tottenham boss on Wednesday despite having said earlier in his
career that he could never take charge at Spurs.
However, Lampard, who spent the bulk of his playing career at Stamford
Bridge before taking over as head coach this summer, is adamant his deep
ties to the club would prevent a repeat.
"I can firmly say no and you can replay that again in 10 years," Lampard
said.
"It wouldn't happen, but I think things are different. Jose Mourinho has
worked at a lot of football clubs and we have to respect his right to work.
"On the other hand I was here for 13 years as a player, have an absolutely
deep feeling for the club, and I obviously went to Man City for a year at
the end of my career but Chelsea is certainly something very close to my
heart and hence why I'm so proud to manage this club and hence why
unfortunately I wouldn't manage Tottenham."
'City still the same threat'
Chelsea go into Saturday's clash with Manchester City a point ahead of the
champions, with Lampard's side on a six-match winning run in the Premier
League.
City come into the game having lost three games already this season, just
one less defeat than they gave up in the entirety of their previous
campaign.
"I think it's quite casual to sit there and say 'they've lost three games
and that means they're not as strong as last year,'" Lampard said.
"I still see them as the same strength and understand what they have and
what they can do to teams.
"They've had their injury problems in defensive areas, but they're a great
team, so they're as big a threat as they've always been."
Pulisic in contention, Hudson-Odoi out
Lampard looks set to be able to call upon Christian Pulisic at the Etihad
stadium, despite the in-form winger having missed both of the United States'
fixtures during the international break.
However, his rival for a starting berth on the left wing, Callum
Hudson-Odoi, looks set to miss out due to an hamstring strain picked up on
England duty.
"[Pulisic] had a problem going into the last game against Palace and he was
struggling, hence why he came off after his goal," Lampard said.
"He missed the two games. He's started to train again this midweek so he's
in contention to play.
"Callum Hudson-Odoi has a hamstring issue that he picked up in the England
game, so he'll struggle to be in contention for this game but we're hoping
it's short term."
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