Frank Lampard To Roman Abramovich: Don't Sack Mourinho

Former Chelsea star Frank Lampard has called on Roman Abramovich not to sack Jose Mourinho. Lampard insists that Jose should be left till the end of the season before a decision should be taken.

New York City's Frank Lampard believes that Chelsea have nothing to gain from sacking Portuguese manager José Mourinho "midway through the season", even with the club languishing just a point above the relegation zone.

"Why make a rash change that can't really affect the year that much and then see where we are at the end of the year?", the former Blues midfielder told Sky Sports after Chelsea were beaten 2-1 away to Leicester.

Chelsea Lacks Direction - Frank Lampard

Former Chelsea legend Frank Lampard was on ground to watch the Chelsea-Liverpool clash. The highest midfield goalscorer in the history of the club believes that the blues lack direction.

Former Chelsea favourite Frank Lampard has questioned the side's mental approach to games, stating there are few leaders in Jose Mourinho's team.

Saturday's 3-1 home defeat to Liverpool piled further pressure on the Portuguese manager, with the Blues languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League.

MLS: Gerrard, Lampard Named In All Stars Team

New recruits Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard headline the 2015 MLS All-Star team. They are yet to make their MLS debuts, but former England team-mates Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have both been included in the MLS All-Star team set to face Tottenham in Colorado on July 29.

Gerrard and Lampard were on Monday named as Commissioner Don Garber's picks for the All-Star match. Gerrard made his competitive bow for Los Angeles Galaxy in the opening match of the International Champions Cup on Saturday, while a calf strain delayed Lampard's highly anticipated New York City debut against Toronto FC on Sunday.

Drogba May Join Lampard In USA

Didier Drogba will not play for another English team when he leaves Chelsea and may follow Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard by ending his career in the United States. The 37-year-old former Ivory Coast forward played his final game for Chelsea when the Premier League champions beat Sunderland 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

"There are some really fantastic teams in the Premier League but my love for this club...I can't share it with another English team," he told the Daily Telegraph on Monday.

"Since I put the news I am leaving Chelsea on social media, I was in the dressing-room and I was receiving some calls from teams which is really unusual.

MANCHESTER CITY vs LEICESTER PREVIEW: All The Facts & Statistics You Need To Know

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CHELSEA vs MAN CITY: Should Lampard Be Given Heroic Welcome?

When Didier Drogba returned to Stamford Bridge with Galatasaray as a Champions League opponent last March he was welcomed as a hero. Presented with a commemorative silver boot on the pitch before the match for eight years of historic excellence, his name was chanted and his entrance and exit were applauded by all four sides of a stadium adorned with loving banners.

The question of whether Frank Lampard should receive similar honours on Saturday has divided Chelsea fans.

This Premier League Is "Crazy" - Jose Mourinho

Chelsea could have made it five wins from five had they held on to a 1-0 lead at title rivals Manchester City on Sunday, Chelsea legend Frank Lampard coming back to haunt his old team when he cancelled out Andre Schurrle's effort in the 85th minute.

Defending champions City were forced to play with 10 men for the last half-hour when Pablo Zabaleta was sent off for a second bookable offence, but a draw ensured Manuel Pellegrini's men did not fall eight points behind Chelsea at this early stage.

MAN CITY 1 CHELSEA 1: Watch The Goals & Highlihgts

            

Roy Hodgson Pays Tribute To Frank Lampard

England manager Roy Hodgson has paid tribute to midfielder Frank Lampard, who retired from international football on Tuesday. Former Chelsea man Lampard - currently on loan at Manchester City from newly formed MLS franchise New York City brought the curtain down on a 15-year England career that saw him score 29 goals in 106 appearances. And Hodgson was quick to hail the contribution of the 36-year-old, who made his debut against Belgium in 1999.

"Frank Lampard has been a superb representative of the English game - both as a player on the pitch and an ambassador off it," he said. "To reach in excess of 100 international caps is something very few professionals achieve and he is in exalted company.

Here Comes The New Frank Lampard

Opinions are invariably strident and polarised. Did Mourinho try and kick a prostrate Cesc Fabregas in a 2011 Clasico? Many believed he did.

Three years later, Mourinho directs compliments rather than kicks at the midfielder. On Monday, he devoted a eulogy in a cramped room in a corner of Burnley's Turf Moor ground to Fabregas, praising the 27-year-old for his football brain, his ability to dictate and change the tempo of a game and his ability to improve others around him, especially Nemanja Matic.

It was a natural response to an outstanding debut, yet Mourinho and Fabregas still seem unlikely allies. They appear ideological opposites: Real Madrid and Barcelona, Chelsea and Arsenal, Portugal and Spain. The battle lines were drawn. The Camp Nou philosophers don't play for the arch-pragmatist. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's disciples don't end up in a Mourinho team.

CONFIRMED! Frank Lampard Joins Manchester City

Frank Lampard cannot wait to get started after sealing his short-term move to Manchester City. City boss Manuel Pellegrini confirmed on Saturday that Lampard - who signed for new MLS franchise New York City last month after 13 glittering years at Chelsea - had opted to join the Premier League champions ahead of the 2015 MLS season, which begins next March.

And City made the move official on Tuesday, with England veteran Lampard expressing his delight at getting the chance to carry on playing in England prior to his debut campaign stateside.

"Joining up with Manchester City is a fantastic opportunity for me to continue to train and play at the top level and make sure I am in top condition for New York City," the 36-year-old told City's official website.

Frank Lampard Considering Melbourne Move

Frank Lampard could be set to follow David Villa's Melbourne-New York path by joining Melbourne City.
Spain forward Villa will play 10 matches for the Manchester City-owned Australian club before arriving at MLS outfit New York City, another affiliated club of the Premier League champions.

Lampard, who announced last month that he would be leaving Stamford Bridge after a 13-year stay, looks poised to follow Villa's path, having reportedly agreed a deal to join the MLS club in May, with former Chelsea team-mate Mark Schwarzer revealing the 36-year-old had taken an interest in the Australian city.

"All I can say is that he did ask me about Melbourne Heart [Melbourne City's former name]. He did ask me what Melbourne was like and what Melbourne Heart was like," the former Australia international said, as reported by the Mirror.

ENGLAND: Frank Lampard To Make International Retirement Decision After World Cup

Frank Lampard has said he will wait until he returns to England from the World Cup before he decides whether to end his international career.

When Roy Hodgson announced Lampard would lead England in their final match against Costa Rica on Tuesday, many took it as a sign that this would be the midfielder’s international swan song. Lampard played every minute of England’s previous two World Cup campaigns, but he has not yet featured at all in Brazil this summer.

However the 105-cap midfielder, who turned 36 last Friday, has not ruled out the possibility of carrying on playing for his country until Euro 2016, though.

WORLD CUP: Lampard Must Start For England Against Italy Says Glenn Hoddle

Former England manager Glenn Hoddle believes Frank Lampard should start when the Three Lions get their World Cup campaign underway against Italy. Jordan Henderson is expected to line up alongside captain and Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard on Saturday, but Hoddle feels the Chelsea midfielder's experience is crucial to his side making a strong start.

"Everyone assumes Jordan Henderson will line up with Gerrard in a midfield partnership that has worked well for Liverpool.

"But I really think England need stability, experience and know-how for the start [of the match] - then [can] unleash some of the youngsters to frighten Italy in the final stages when some of their older players will be wilting.

Farewell As Chelsea's All Time Highest Goal Scorer Frank Lampard Leaves

Andy Wilkinson had felled Mohamed Salah and a familiar sense of expectation gripped Stamford Bridge. Lee Probert pointed to the spot and Frank Lampard stepped up. Asmir Begovic saved the first shot, low to his right, but could do nothing about the rebound. It was goal number 211 and secured a win which took Chelsea back to the top of the Premier League. Beyond that it did not seem particularly significant. But it was. For it was and will remain Lampard’s last goal for Chelsea.

The article announcing his departure on Chelsea’s website read more like a eulogy than a press release. Few players and no manager – not even Jose Mourinho – have been granted such a heartfelt send-off in the Roman Abramovich era. It was extraordinary and yet utterly fitting.

Everyone will have their own view on Chelsea’s greatest-ever player debate. Peter Osgood was the star of a thrilling team responsible for an entire generation of Blues fans in the 1960s. Gianfranco Zola enjoyed similar status 30 years later. In the Abramovich years, Petr Cech has established himself as the club’s greatest ever goalkeeper, John Terry the club’s greatest ever captain and Didier Drogba the ultimate match-winner, including the biggest match of all.

VIDEO - CHELSEA's GOAL OF THE SEASON: Lampard, Hazard, Oscar Or Ivanovic, Who Will Win It?

               

SOUTHAMPTON vs CHELSEA: Three Chelsea players to miss Match

Chelsea are without Frank Lampard, Branislav Ivanovic and David Luiz for the New Year’s Day trip to St. Mary’s stadium to face Southampton.

Lampard (undisclosed muscular injury) and Ivanovic (knee) were injured in Sunday’s win over Liverpool, when Luiz picked up his fifth booking of the season to incur a suspension.
Ivanovic’s injury means Ashley Cole is set to return at left-back with Cesar Azpilicueta switching to the right, while midfielder Ramires is back from a one-game ban.

For Southampton, Dani Osvaldo suffered a knock in the 1-1 draw at Newcastle and, having recovered from that, was then struck down by illness, but could return for the match against the Blues.

Morgan Schneiderlin returns from suspension while Nathaniel Clyne will be hoping to start as he steps up his return from a hamstring complaint.