‘It was really strange’… Frank Lampard shares what he found very odd when he first joined Man City

Redaction Simon Brett with Dan Murphy
Published on 2024-02-15 14:30:00

After enjoying over a decade of success at Chelsea, Frank Lampard shared his strange feelings about joining Manchester City training for the first time.

The unexpected move came after he briefly joined New York City FC, but then extended his stay with Manchester City on loan. He found the whole experience of joining a new club and meeting new teammates to be “really strange.”

He said: “It was really strange. Being at Chelsea for so long, I had the same drive into the training ground, the same faces when I got there, the same dressing room day after day.”

This was a significant change after spending over 13 years at Chelsea, where Lampard was established and felt familiar with everything from the training ground to his teammates.

However, at Manchester City, he admitted that he felt like he was going back to school as the new boy. He had to adjust to a whole new environment and was initially quiet as he assessed the dynamics of the new team.

But he was delighted to receive a good feeling and respect from the players, who helped him settle in quickly. Lampard expressed that he felt very welcomed not only by the players but also by the staff at the training ground, and he loved it from day one.

“I felt real respect from the players, they were very helpful in terms of settling in and I tried to keep my head down and get training and show them I was serious and wanted to come in and help.

“I was made to feel very, very welcome, not just by the players but by all the staff at the training ground. I loved it from day one if I’m honest.”

Despite the unexpected nature of his stay at Manchester City, Lampard’s year-long tenure at the Etihad Stadium turned out to be a success. He was 36 at the time and approaching the end of his career, but he still had plenty to offer.

During his time at City, he scored eight goals in 38 appearances – including a late equalizer against his former club, Chelsea. Following his stint at City, he played for 18 months in New York before retiring from his playing career.

Lampard then ventured into management, achieving immediate success at Derby County and Chelsea. However, he has faced some struggles at Everton and during a second stint at Chelsea as caretaker manager.

He has been out of work since May last year, but his legacy in the world of football remains strong despite the challenges he has faced in his managerial career.

Overall, Lampard’s unexpected journey from Chelsea to Manchester City ultimately led to further success in his career, and his impact on the football world continues to be felt.

Read Original article on Manchester City News