Frank Lampard said on Friday that he had tried to sign Erling Haaland during his first stint as manager at Stamford Bridge. Lampard’s team faced the Man-City forward in a friendly match in 2019, while he played for RB Salzburg. The Man-City striker scored 28 goals in just 22 matches before signing with Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2019. Lampard, however, said that he tried to bring him to West London during his 18 month tenure as manager between 2019 and 2020.
Lampard ended up frustrated by the competition to sign the Norwegian international, as well as the fact that not everyone at Chelsea thought that a bid on Haaland was the right thing to do. Lampard has scored 36 Premier League goals this season for City, who are chasing the title. The two teams will meet at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday to see if City can seal the title.
Frank stated, “I have a lot of respect for him, and he is a guy I tried to get to Chelsea when I first came here. I wanted him to come here, but it was not possible. We played him in a Salzburg pre-season match and his level was clear. He deserves credit, I enjoy seeing players at that level. I also like players with that kind of personality, and the desire to win and to be the best, which he has proven to be.
Lampard concluded his remarks by saying: “The rest of the credit goes to him and the team that surrounds him.” It’s not an easy answer. I have a lot of respect for him. I don’t even know if he would’ve decided to come here. People don’t always know that some things could have turned out differently.
Lampard’s interim tenure is over after two games. Manchester United will play at Old Trafford, and Newcastle at Stamford Bridge after the match against Man-city.
