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John Terry confirmed Frank Lampard upset him with decision that 'didn't sit right'

John Terry said Frank Lampard's Man City move didn't "seem right"
-Credit: (Image: AFP/Getty Images)


After 13 years as a Chelsea player and two separate managerial stints, Frank Lampard and the west London club have become almost synonymous.

Lampard joined the Blues in 2001, putting him on a path which would see him win three Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy and four FA Cups. His remarkable run in midfield saw him make 648 appearances and become the club's top scorer with 211 goals - a staggering feat for a midfielder.

The Stamford Bridge faithful therefore were left shocked when Lampard joined rivals Manchester City as a free agent in the summer of 2014. The hurt was amplified when he netted a volley against the club where he was idolised for over a decade during the 2014/15 campaign, before moving on to New York City FC.

Lampard's long-time team-mate and fellow Chelsea icon John Terry still played for the Blues at the time, also calling time on his career in 2017. And the legendary centre-back could not hide his sadness at seeing Lampard donning another Premier League team's colours.

In 2014, Terry reflected on the departures of both Lampard and Ashley Cole, who had also recently left for Roma, saying: "It just doesn't seem right to see them in different shirts. Maybe over time that will ease but it doesn't seem right.

"We have grown up together and won and lost together at Chelsea. We have done many great things and it was sad to see them go."

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Lampard had once declared he would never play for a Premier League club besides Chelsea. But Terry insisted the move didn't tarnish his monumental legacy as the greatest player in the history of the football club.

Terry added: "To me there is no doubt [he's the best]. Before that there was Gianfranco Zola but Lampard has been an absolute legend here and his legacy will remain ever.

"It's a legacy for the younger boys to come and try and fill those big boots and replicate what he's done. That will be very tough for someone but he's an absolute hero for the fans, with the players as well and how he pushed us individually and collectively.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21:  Frank Lampard of Manchester City salutes the Chelsea fans at the end of the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on September 21, 2014 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Lampard spent a season with rivals Man City after leaving Chelsea in 2014 -Credit:Getty Images Europe

"He has been an idol and someone I inspired to be like in training. Around the place he was a great character but footballing wise I have never come across someone who works as hard as he does to improve his game."

After hanging up his boots in 2017 and earning his coaching badges, Lampard couldn't stay away from Stamford Bridge for long. He took the reins at Derby County in the Championship before returning to manage Chelsea in 2019.

Despite a promising first season where he sealed Champions League qualification and reached the FA Cup final, he was sacked in January 2021. Lampard made a brief comeback as caretaker manager in April 2023 but left with an abysmal win rate of just 9.1%.

He is currently out of work but is on the shortlist for the England manager's job, according to The Daily Telegraph. Interim manager Lee Carsley, Eddie Howe, Graham Potter and Pep Guardiola are also believed to be under consideration.