Friday, March 29News That Matters

Frank Lampard names the two top players he wanted to sign for Chelsea

Frank Lampard says he wanted to sign Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice when he was in charge of Chelsea, but missed out on the England duo.

Bellingham and Rice started in England’s 6-2 demolition of Iran in Qatar on Monday with the former scoring his first goal for the national team as he headed home the opener.




The Dortmund 19-year-old and West Ham 23-year-old have become starters under Gareth Southgate and Lampard says he wanted them at Stamford Bridge some years ago.

The Chelsea legend was in charge of the London club from July 2019 to January 2021 and after a transfer embargo when he took over, he wanted to bring in the two players in the summer of 2020.

‘He’s crucial already, he’s an outstanding talent for such a young player,’ Lampard told Sky Sports of Bellingham.

‘He’s more experienced and talented than his years show, to do what he’s done on the top level already.




‘I tried to sign him when I was at Chelsea, I wanted to sign him and Declan Rice, that will be England’s midfield for this tournament, probably.

‘A lot of expectation so we have to be a bit steady with him, but the way he’s played and performed…he has a real mature sense about him as well, so I’m sure not too much will phase him and I expect him to go and have a good tournament.’




There was praise for Bellingham from all corners after his display against Iran, with Rio Ferdinand part of the chorus as he compared him to some of the greatest England players ever.

‘We’ve had great midfielders play for England in our generation down the years. Scholes, the Gerrards, the Lampards to name three, Gascoigne etc,’ Ferdinand told Vibe with Five.

‘None of those guys were doing what Jude Bellingham is doing at this age on the world stage, none of them. This kid’s playing Champions League football the lot, he’s doing everything.

‘I’m not saying he’s better than them, I’m not saying he’s going to be better than them but right now, at this age, he’s doing what none of them have done. He’s ahead.’

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