LAMPARD IS AN EYE ACHIEVER
FORMER Chelsea midfielder Ramires has been impressed with his old team-mate Frank Lampard’s side this season.
But he knew Lampard (below) had the vision to make the transition from playing to coaching look so easy.
Brazil star Ramires, 33, said: “I knew Frank very well. His understanding of positional play is one of the best I’ve come across and he always paid attention to movement, so it’s easy if you’ve got eyes for such things.”
The two famously combined to produce one the club’s greatest ever goals – in a semi-final second leg at the Nou Camp that helped Chelsea get past Barcelona and cued the Champions League triumph of 2012.
Ramires added: “You just have to look at that goal I scored against Barca to see Frank’s awareness.
“I remember that I just ran in the direction of the goal to wait for the pass. The ball came. And the rest is history.
“Sometimes, I get the impression this goal is more remembered by the fans than the title. I can’t find words to describe it, I felt truly blessed.”
Ramires had been signed by Carlo Ancelotti from Benfica and made 251 appearances for the Blues before he left for Chinese club Jiangsu in 2016.
He admits he is missing life in London almost four years after leaving the club.
Ramires, who joined Brazilian champions Palmeiras last June on a four-year deal, became a huge favourite during his time at the Bridge and still used the club’s training facilities at Cobham until recently.
“I miss London, I learned so much living there and got along well with everyone,” he said, speaking from his home in Rio.
“And I miss Chelsea, but the club and the fans will always be in my heart.
“I also have to say that Chelsea had some really good players who welcomed new players and made them feel at home, so that was really helpful.
“I think that I got the respect of everyone because I always tried to give my best on the pitch. The English fans appreciate that. It’s an honour for me to be part of Chelsea history.”