Going back to Chelsea is a big deal for me, but I am not too conflicted.. there won’t be sadness if we win
FRANK LAMPARD hated scoring against Chelsea – but insists he will have no hesitation dumping them out tonight.
The Blues are set to welcome back their record goalscorer this evening when Lampard’s Derby visit in the EFL Cup. The 40-year-old is a legend at Stamford Bridge after making 648 appearances in 13 years before departing four years ago.
After joining from West Ham in 2001, he won every domestic and major European honour and is the club’s alltime leading
goalscorer with 211. But it was the goal he scored against the Blues that drew attention in 2014. He came on as a substitute 12 minutes from time for Manchester City and grabbed a late point, on a day that made him feel awkward.
Coming back as a manager however, is something he reckons will give him a different feeling. Lampard, whose side despatched his old boss Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United in the previous round, said: “Going back to Chelsea is a big deal for me. But I am not too conflicted on this one.
“There were mixed emotions previously and to go up against them and score was difficult.
“I was doing my job but, at the same time, I loved Chelsea as a club and have a strong bond with the fans.
“As a manager though I am going to enjoy the occasion and try to set my team out as well as I can. There won’t be a sadness if we win.
“I will be proud and honoured to be taking my team to a place I called home for 13 years and still feels like home. But this is my working home now and I have a great affiliation with this club already.
“I will be professionally delighted if my team get anything like near a win because it will be such a tough game.”
Lampard admits such is his strong affinity with Chelsea, he may struggle to keep his emotions in check.
He said: “I have got more emotional as I’ve got older. You realise what an important part Chelsea was in my life and what I owe for that. Sometimes those moments can catch you.
“It is a special draw for me to go back and see people and 40,000-plus friends in the stadium.”
The rookie boss admits he has been hugely impressed with new Chelsea gaffer Maurizio Sarri and said: “It will be a fantastic side, no matter who they put out on the night.
“To see Chelsea change style and hit the ground running, that is just work on the training ground.
“Sarri has made his imprint in a strong start and that is why we are coming up against a very well-drilled, talented team who are title contenders.”
But the Derby boss insists even in the event of an upset, celebrations will be respectful, especially as his assistant Jody Morris and first-team coach Chris Jones are ex-Chelsea too.
He added: “When I scored against them I didn’t celebrate – I wouldn’t have done in a million years – and as a manager I will be respectful because I appreciate what the club did for me.”
Lampard’s side will potentially include Chelsea loanees Mason Mount and defender Fikayo Tomori after getting permission to play the duo for the Rams against their parent club.