Swift staying frank about his role model
FRANK LAMPARD is the secret weapon behind Reading’s push for a return to the top flight today.
The Royals’ key midfielder John Swift has revealed how a chat with the legendary Chelsea star helped kick off his career in the game.
The 21-year-old left Stamford Bridge last summer and has scored nine goals in his first season at the Madejski Stadium to help lead Reading to third and within today’s game of the Premier League.
And the similarities between Swift and Lampard are obvious. “I asked to have a conversation with Frank when I was younger,” said the England Under-21 man ahead of their defining play-off final with Huddersfield.
“I play in the same position and wanted to see what he was like at my age and what he did and didn’t do.
“It was only a 20-minute chat but he was the one I looked at and wanted to be like. He was a top player who scored a lot of goals from midfield.
“That was one of the things that made him stand out. As a midfielder who can score goals you are different. To add goals to your game was a massive thing and after that chat I started to do so.”
Swift insists it was no wrench to leave Chelsea in pursuit of regular football.
“It was sensible as I wanted to play for a team, in the first team and senior football,” he said. “It was a big call as I didn’t know whether I would do well or the team would do well.
“It was a risky move as well as I could have gone to Reading and not played. It has definitely paid off and I’m glad to have moved and finally got settled at the club.” A friendly figure, Swift will save the pleasantries for
afterwards as he takes on his former Chelsea team-mate Izzy Brown who is playing for Huddersfield.
“I’ve not played against him much but know what he is about,” Swift said. “I will be helping the player who has to pick him up in the game if he is starting.
“I will just think he’s a normal player, I’m not going to go at him like he’s my friend, I will do my tackling and normal stuff.
“Then after the game, no matter how it goes, I will say hello and ask him how he has been. But as soon as the game starts there are no friends on the football pitch. We’ve not swapped texts but I’ve had a lot of good lucks from my ex-Chelsea team-mates.”
Reading are bidding to put a record of three straight defeats in play-off finals behind them.
“We are in form and in good shape, we never underestimate any opposition and know we will be facing a very good team with lots of qualities,” said manager Jaap Stam, who has enjoyed an excellent first season in charge, exceeding his initial expectations of a mid-table finish.