Frank Lampard has done a great job as the new Chelsea boss this season but there have been fears that the former England international might stumble when he takes his side to the Etihad this weekend.
The ex-midfielder might very and truly be a Chelsea legend but for the small number of people who don’t remember, Lampard also spent a fair amount of time playing for Manchester City.
Frank Lampard left Chelsea in 2014 in order to join MLS club NYCFC which is owned by the City group and just days after signing for the American side, he was loaned out to Manchester City in the Premier League.
The Chelsea fans obviously did not take this move very well as the midfielder went on to play one full season for the Citizens.
And now that he’s expected to return back to the Etihad as the Chelsea manager there have been fears that he might get a hostile reception from the home support.
Daily Mail | #Chelsea fans are plotting 'Frank Lampard – The Special One' banner to take on trip to Tottenham after former manager Jose Mourinho is appointed as Mauricio Pochettino's successor. #CFC pic.twitter.com/V5TBReuJGQ
— The Blues (@TheBlues___) November 20, 2019
While none of this should happen but just to be extra careful, Manchester City have released an official statement making it clear that Frank Lampard will receive a warm welcome when he steps onto the pitch as the Chelsea boss.
The statement read: “If there’s one thing that is certain on Saturday, it is the warm welcome Frank Lampard will receive from City fans, former team-mates and Club staff.
“The Chelsea boss will make his first return to the Etihad since stepping into management two years ago and while many wondered if he’d been handed the job he’d always seemed destined to take too soon, he has, of course, taken to the role like the proverbial duck to water.
“Of course, his heart was always with Chelsea, and how could it not have been after 14 years with the club and an incredible 648 appearances that yielded 211 goals?
“‘Super Frank’ is not just a terrace chant that Chelsea – and for a time – City fans used to sing. It is backed up with some stellar statistics.”
While the home fans will surely show respect to Frank Lampard but it would be fascinating to see how the manager reacts especially when his team is under pressure on Saturday.
