Frank Lampard Reveals Desire to Sign Declan Rice for Chelsea
In a surprising revelation, former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has disclosed that he had wanted to sign Declan Rice for the club during his tenure. Lampard saw Rice as a potential captain for the team and envisioned him leading the Blues for the next decade at Stamford Bridge. However, Rice, who was released from the Chelsea academy at the age of 14, went on to join West Ham before recently sealing a move to Arsenal in a staggering £105 million deal.
Lampard’s interest in Rice stems from his belief in the player’s abilities and leadership qualities. During his first spell as Chelsea boss from 2019 to 2021, Lampard expressed his desire to bring Rice back to the club. He stated, “When I was at Chelsea before, I wanted to bring in Declan Rice. I was like: ‘This kid’s gonna be the captain of Chelsea for the next ten years.’ It didn’t happen.”
Had Rice joined Chelsea during Lampard’s reign, he would have had the opportunity to play alongside his best friend Mason Mount. Mount, who recently completed a £55 million move to Manchester United, made his professional debut under Lampard and thrived under his guidance at Chelsea. Lampard expressed his disappointment at not being able to keep Mount at Chelsea but believes that he will be an excellent addition to Manchester United.
Speaking on the Diary of a CEO podcast, Lampard praised Mount’s talent and potential impact at Manchester United. He acknowledged that Mount’s transfer was a complex situation due to his expiring contract but emphasized that Mount will elevate his game at his new club. Lampard stated, “In terms of what he’ll bring to Manchester United, it won’t just be what Mason brings, he will bring loads of talent, but he’s just gonna go up levels.”
Lampard also highlighted the presence of established players like Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, and Casemiro at Manchester United, stating that Mount will seamlessly fit in with the team. Despite his disappointment at Mount’s departure, Lampard believes that the young midfielder will flourish and become a fantastic player. He acknowledged Mount’s strong affinity for Chelsea and expressed his wish to see him stay at the club for the majority of his career.
The revelation of Lampard’s desire to sign Rice and his disappointment at not being able to retain Mount sheds light on the complexities of player transfers in modern football. While managers may have their vision for the team’s future, various factors such as contracts, player preferences, and financial considerations can influence the outcome.
As Rice prepares to embark on a new chapter at Arsenal, it remains to be seen how he will fare at his new club. With a hefty price tag attached to his transfer, expectations will be high for the talented midfielder. Meanwhile, Mount will aim to make an impact at Manchester United and continue his development under the guidance of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The dynamic nature of football means that players and managers often find themselves on different paths, despite shared ambitions. Lampard’s revelation serves as a reminder of the ever-changing landscape of the sport and the unpredictability of player movements. As fans eagerly await the upcoming season, they can only speculate on what could have been if Rice had joined Lampard’s Chelsea and if Mount had remained at Stamford Bridge.