Frank Lampard has confirmed he tried to sign Erling Haaland before he went to Manchester City while he was still manager of Chelsea.
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Lampard spent 18 months in Stamford Bridge hot-seat before being eventually sacked in January 2021.
During his spell in charge of the London side, Lampard’s Chelsea faced a Red Bull Salzburg team who boasted a prolific striker in Haaland.
The former England player claims it was ‘clear’ then that Haaland would develop into one of the best players in the world and has revealed Chelsea tried to sign the striker before Man City.
Haaland scored 86 goals in 89 games for Dortmund before joining City last summer. The 22-year-old has already netted 26 goals in 22 matches for Pep Guardiola’s side.
‘He’s an amazing player, that top level of play can come to whatever league, especially when he possesses everything he does,’ Lampard said of Haaland ahead of Everton’s game with Man City on New Year’s Eve.
‘I’ve got huge respect for him. I’ve coached against him when he was at RB Salzburg, my eyes were wide open at the time. It was clear in our pre-match preparation what this boy was already.
‘I tried to sign him at Chelsea, it wasn’t to be. And it was clear what he was going to become, so fair play to him.’
Everton travel to the Etihad who currently sit 17th in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone.
Lampard’s side conceded a late goal against Wolves on Boxing Day and face a Man City team who returned to action with a 3-1 win at Leeds.
