John Terry: It’s not right seeing Frank Lampard in a Manchester City shirt but he’s still Chelsea's greatest ever player
John Terry says it will be hard seeing Frank Lampard in a Manchester City shirt but insists playing for a rival will not damage the midfielder’s legacy at Chelsea.
Yesterday, Lampard signed a six-month loan deal with City having already agreed to play for MLS side New York City next March.
The 36-year-old left Chelsea at the end of the season when his contract expired and in 13 years with the Blues he became the club’s all-time leading scorer with 211 goals.
Another Chelsea veteran Ashley Cole also moved this summer as he joined Roma and Terry said: “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.”
Lampard’s move to City was a surprise after he originally declared he would never play for another Premier League club.
But Terry is adamant he will always be regarded as the London club’s greatest player and told Chelsea TV: “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.
“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.”
Chelsea have compensated for the loss of two experienced players by re-signing Didier Drogba, who scored 157 times between 2004-12 and hit the decisive penalty in a shoot-out to claim the Champions League two years ago.
Drogba is now 36 but Terry does not think he is past his best.
“He’s still the same, a nightmare to play against in training, still physically strong, sharp and hungry as well. It’s important Didier is here because he brings that mentality of wanting to win every day and that rubs off on people like Kurt Zouma and the other young players he’s playing against.”
Manager Jose Mourinho has also spent £75million on Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Filipe Luis, while Zouma and keeper Thibaut Courtois have joined up for the first time after being on loan at Saint Etienne and Atletico Madrid respectively.
The Chelsea captain, who has helped the club win 11 major trophies in as many years, believes the club are heading for a new era of success.
“It’s great,” he said. “The club are evolving. One day we’ll all be gone. It’s time for these players to continue to keep winning trophies for this club and keep the fans and owner happy.
“If I was a Chelsea fan I’d be impressed from what I have seen so far from Diego, Cesc, Filipe and all the boys that have come in like Kurt as well.
“Some of the World Cup players have only been back around 10 days and are still nowhere near their full fitness.
“Even the rest of us who have been back from the start, it takes three or four games to find your feet.”
http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/john-terry-its-not-right-seeing-frank-lampard-in-a-manchester-city-shirt-but-hes-still-chelseas-greatest-ever-player-9653955.html
