Chelsea are ready to give Frank Lampard a reunion at Stamford Bridge after the midfielder announced he was leaving New York City FC, The Daily Mirror reports.
What’s the word?
Looking to avoid an Arsenal-like upset, Chelsea will offer Frank Lampard his choice of three roles at the club. Lampard, plying his trade in the MLS, could now hang-up his boots after confirming he will leave the American side at the end of the year.
Whilst Arsenal have been criticised for failing to see Patrick Vieira, Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry in roles at the club, Chelsea will offer Lampard the chance to be a coach, an ambassador or a mentor- with Lampard keen to take a role as the former.
Leaving Chelsea in 2014, Lampard spent a controversial year on-loan with Manchester City from the American side before returning to ply his trade alongside the likes of David Villa and Andrea Pirlo- but that spell is over.
What can Lampard offer Chelsea?
A club legend at Chelsea, arguably the biggest the Blues have ever had, Lampard is an iconic figure at Stamford Bridge having won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the European Cup and Europa League during his time in West London.
Due to his experiences, he could be the perfect guide towards the young players at the club- although it’s questionable how valuable that would be, as Chelsea prefer to send their youngsters on-loan rather than oversee their development themselves.
In an ambassadorial role though Lampard could thrive, helping Chelsea raise their commercial revenue across the world and closing the gap on the sides that are more financially stable in the Premier League and the world.
How did the MLS go for Lampard?
Reasonably well, in truth. Whilst he failed to follow David Beckham’s route and win the title, Lampard ends his New York City FC career with 15 goals in 29 appearances but ended the season in disappointing fashion after losing 7-0 on aggregate to Toronto in the play-offs.
The 38-year-old is a designated player in the MLS, meaning he’s one of a few number who are outside the club’s wage budget, and he lived up to the claim of being a star player who finished the back-end of his playing career in the States.
The MLS is keen to move past their reputation as a retiring home for European players, which Toronto’s Sebastian Giovinco has helped to erase, but further work needs to be done. For Lampard, it was a nice end to his career but won’t stand-out as a highlight.
