Frank Lampard is going to Manchester City. SO WHAT?

Frank Lampard in ANY other shirt looks weird. Like there is something wrong with the picture.

Yes it has been confirmed. 

Clearly, this is a big deal, right? Perhaps even an abomination? Maybe this is the end of Frank Lampard’s association with Chelsea. What more could he have possibly done to sever the ties with Chelsea? Right? RIGHT????

Please, just give me a break. And more importantly, give yourself a break. I don’t even know where to begin to show all these nice folks that this doesn’t mean anything. Let’s start at the facts, shall we? Here is what we know:

1. Frank Lampard was not offered a new contract with Chelsea and instead he signed a contract with New York City FC, a brand new MLS team that is going to kickstart their campaign only next season in March. 

2. Lampard needs a place to train and stay fit while he is waiting for the next MLS season to start. That is about 8 months away. 

3. NYCFC is owned by Manchester City. Man City also own Melbourne Heart in Australia. 

4. David Villa, Frank’s teammate at NYCFC chooses to go to  Melbourne Heart to train and stay fit.

5. Frank Lampard instead chooses to go to Man City for a 6 month loan to stay fit. 

Those are the facts. Now here is a context:

Frank was, and for all practical purposes, is still a Chelsea man. He has led Chelsea to heights never before seen at the club. He has played a pivotal role in every single trophy that Chelsea has won since the Abromovich era. In addition to that, Frank Lampard is a professional of the highest levels. If there is ever a role model for a professional, Frank will always be on the top. Always. Frank is also extremely competitive. He wants to push himself to his very best every single season. He wants to play at the highest levels of the sport till as long as his body will take it. 

And now, Chelsea are no longer giving him that opportunity. Not because he is not welcome (far from it), but because he is just way past his prime and it is time for a new group of youngsters to take charge. But Frank being Frank, he wants to play at the highest levels. And Melbourne Heart does not fulfill that level – nowhere close. Man City, on the other hand…well yes it definitely does. Frank Lampard has the opportunity to  play Premier League, FA Cup and more importantly Champions League football at the age of 36. Not many get that chance. And for a man as professional, demanding and competitive as Frank Lampard, it is an offer too good to say no to. 

This in no way means he has no concern for the Chelsea fans. If anything, everybody in Manchester know that Frank is and will always be a Chelsea fan. Now think about THAT. In the dressing room and in the stadium – the players and the crowd KNOW that this man is a Chelsea man through and through. How is that supposed to make THEM feel? 

Of course, this is not at all to imply that Frank will be giving anything less than his absolute best. But there is nothing that he will say to the Man City fans that will make them think that he is somehow now a Man City fan. If anything, from what I hear, he has specifically requested not to be played against Chelsea. So just because there is one quote from Frank stating that he could never see himself in any of the other top teams, it doesn’t suddenly mean that he is now no longer a Chelsea fan. 

So Chelsea fans, please relax. There is nothing here. Like Walter Sobchak said, “Nothing’s fucked Dude!”

West Ham United fans never forgave him (For what, I still do not fathom). Let us not stoop to that level, shall we?