We are the stars, City are just wannabes - Frank Lampard

Mark Hughes takes huge gamble | £100m spend puts heat on City

£100million spending spree puts City boss under massive pressure

From ROB BEASLEY in Los Angeles, 25/07/2009

FRANK LAMPARD fittingly chose Hollywood as the venue to turn the spotlight on Manchester City's desperate bid to break into the big-time.

Chelsea may have been zig-zagging across the States to milk the pre-season dollar but it was in Tinseltown, the destination of every movie wannabe, that Lampard made his assessment of the latest A-list stars in waiting.

The vast majority never make it beyond waiting tables or valet parking for the rich and famous few who have made it to the very top.

Oh, to be like Lampard, one of the biggest box office draws in the business with a string of blockbuster hits and a showreel full of starring roles to his name.

Hottest

You can just imagine Mark Hughes echoing the thought. The City boss is blowing the big bucks to assemble a cast that can become the hottest show in town. But Chelsea's leading man could not resist a dig at all the excesses at Eastlands.

STAR BILLING - Frank Lampard

Lampard, with more than a passing nod to the City theatrics, said: "I don't think it is a necessity for Chelsea to go out and spend a ridiculous amount of money."

City do have to break the bank to try to compete with a star-studded side that has won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the Carling Cup and appeared in five Champions League semi-finals and one final in the past six years. In fact, Lampard believes the Blues are so good it is hard to improve them.

He said: "I am sure if one of the top, top players is available then the club will try everything to try to sign them. There are definitely a couple of players out there who would add a lot to this team. But there are millions of others who would not bring much to this squad at all because we are already so strong right across the board."

Contenders

A super-confident Lampard is convinced Chelsea will be contenders for the big prizes again with or without a 'marquee' signing of their own. But what about City?

The 31-year-old England midfielder has his doubts, saying: "They are buying big, spending a lot of money, bringing in quality players - but whether they can all gel together straight away remains to be seen. Because while you can spend, spend, spend, the one thing you can't buy is chemistry.

"Obviously, there is huge expectation but whether they can do it in their first season, who knows?"

Lampard draws comparisons with Chelsea's surge into the big-time bank-rolled by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich

Titles

He said: "I remember when Roman first came to Chelsea it was a similar situation but, remember, we didn't win the league in the very first season, we came second with Claudio Ranieri.

"Then Jose Mourinho came in and we won back-to-back titles which shows it can be done - but it does take a bit of time. You need the right manager and a period of time for him to work and for the team to gel.

"The important thing to realise is that it is not about individuals coming in and acting like individuals. It's about building a team and making it work, making it hum. And it remains to be seen if City are capable of doing that.

"Of course, you can buy success. But only if you buy the right players, players who are good on the pitch and good off it. That's the important thing. That's what we have had at Chelsea over the years and we have had great success."

Mistakes

There have been expensive mistakes along the way, though, such as Juan Sebastian Veron, Adrian Mutu and Hernan Crespo. But most notably £30million record signing Andriy Shevchenko.

He's not even sure he's ahead of teenagers Angelo Di Santo and Daniel Sturridge in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge these days and his future is very much in doubt.

Sturridge, who turned his back on City to pursue his own dream of stardom with Chelsea, has certainly made an immediate impact at his new club. And Lampard has been very impressed, saying: "He has a huge future. Talent-wise he is right up there. He has shown that in training and he has shown it in the matches so far.

"He needs to work hard, needs to learn off Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka and then take his chance when it comes. But he's settling in well and has certainly added some spice to training."

Stability

There's one signing Lampard is hoping will prove even more valuable - new boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Lamps added: "Hopefully, Carlo can be our most important signing because he can bring stability to the team. He definitely has the credentials to do that. We know his history at Milan and what he built there. It was a Milan phenomenon really with the way they won the Champions League and the players that they brought through.

"He's a classy man and a good coach and, hopefully, we can have success and that will bring the continuity."

Ancelotti has been quick to get his message across. Lampard added: "He has had a couple of team meetings where he has told us how he wants us to play as a team and he has also spoken to us as individuals.

Knocking

"He seems a good man manager and he's a very good coach. Training is good, the work we are doing in training, the way he is working with the players. It's all enjoyable.

"Even though it is early days we are playing very well, knocking the ball around very well, creating a lot of chances. It looks like we are starting to gel for the season.

"But we know these pre-season games don't matter so much, the main concentration is all on when the league games start - that's when we have to be really at it."

Your comments

This article has 25 comments

Well, people of small mind forgget so soon precedents set by themselves. How can lampard forget so soon what ABRAHAMOHIC did in CHELSEA? Is this a case of envious mind with a myopic view? When ABARAH went on a spending spree as soon as he took over the club, did anyone complain? The fact is, PSL is the beeter for all these. The league is getting more competitive bite. Unlike the- 4- horse- race that is in place right now, we now have a suspense filled season. I think it all boils down to fear of competition and attitude. LAMP can't stand the coming heat and new explosion. I can't wait for the thrill. Bring them all on.... PORTSMOUTH?

By Ikechukwu Ogbonna .. Posted July 28 2009 at 9:37 AM.

I'm confused.If Cheslea aren't a big club how come they have the 5th highest average attendance in the entire history of the league?
How come they have 4 of the all time top 10 league attendances?
How come they had the highest gates in the country for 30 years and yet had not won a single trophy?
Or don't those things count as they were a long time ago....oh wait,isn't that history....d'oh

Incidentally didn't Liverpool at the height of their powers get 12k for a European home tie 1st leg? YES they did.

By Ken.. Posted July 26 2009 at 11:19 PM.

I had to laff at his comments, chelski have to offer FREE tickets for people to go and watch them at HOME games.
They are all over rated players on over rated wages because abramovich likes expensive toy's.
They are the only team in the PL that have to offer free tickets to fill their ground at home games.
Their day's are numbered with the comments made about if their manager fails to win anything this coming season he will be sacked!!!!!!! and that comment was from a chelski player who is over rated and can't hold is own on a 1 to 1 situation.

By bonnythescouser.. Posted July 26 2009 at 8:23 PM.

The difference is Bomber, that all the clubs you mention are genuine "Big" clubs. Chelsea are not. Fact. Take that to the bank.
If you were in the championship you would be lucky to get gates of 15000.

By daz.. Posted July 26 2009 at 7:24 PM.

Does Terry already feel fufilled,laurel wise? Because leaving CFC for MC will definitely not bring him that.

By Oklobia Isaac.. Posted July 26 2009 at 7:46 PM.

Chelsea are a manufactured"big" club? Ooh dont be so neive jonathan, which club that is contantly winning trophies is not into big buying, ManU?, Real Madrid (£200 just this window? Bayern? hopefully you are connecting the dots now huh? I am a chelsea supporter and think what Man City are doing is good for football, the more competitive teams you have in any league the more exciting. Chelsea runaway winners this season, you can take that to the bank.

By Bomber.. Posted July 26 2009 at 6:44 PM.

What have people been putting in Frank's pies? They are such a box office hit that they cannot sell all the tickets for their home games.

By Peter Hurst.. Posted July 26 2009 at 6:11 PM.

Quite simply JOHN TERRY IS MR CHELSEA AND A TRUE LEGEND. Why all the talk of him beind disloyal and greedy and ppl wanting him to leave, he's a fantastic leader for both club and country. There's no desire to leave on his side and any true Chelsea fan would be devastated to see him go. So to you man city fans and so called chelsea fans i suggest you go and crawl back under that rock you came from and emerge when notts county get to the prem then you will have a new team to support.

By darren blake.. Posted July 26 2009 at 4:32 PM.

chelsea should take the money for terry, we have plenty of other players to fill his shoes , when he was injured we even played better i like alex and calvalio will be staying then bring in mancienne as a spare and give him a few games this year . and let lampard lead us to victory. right now we look better than manutd & liverpool so the season is looking good.

By kevin.. Posted July 26 2009 at 3:58 PM.

i like what Lampard is saying

By jonathan ebomuche.. Posted July 26 2009 at 3:32 PM.

Lets be honest here, Chelsea are a manufactured"big" club due to Abramovich. If he had not come along they would probably be in the same position as Leeds by now. They are a club with a smallish hardcore of true fans on a similar scale to Fulham or Blackburn but have lots of "Plastic" fans cos of the money. Man City are a much bigger traditional club with a much bigger hardcore support. (I am not a City fan BTW). Infact there are much bigger clubs than Chelsea (support wise) in the championship such as Derby, Sheff Weds and Newcastle.
I really hope Man City finis above them this season.

By daz.. Posted July 26 2009 at 3:47 PM.

i keep hearing this word "wanabe,s".put me right but isnt every club in the world?why wud u not want to be winners and if money makes that happen(which it does try saying different utd,cfc,lfc etc)then good luck to you mr sheik .blue army march on

By trilby mcfc.. Posted July 26 2009 at 2:47 PM.

Frank you seem to forget Man City are trying to do what Chelski did. And that is buy the prem title!!

By tony c.. Posted July 26 2009 at 1:33 PM.

All clubs will be shot down when Blatter and Platini get their way, and clubs have to operate within their own financial capacities ans not rely on rich owners.
They already have it in the Football League and you can bet your bottom dollar that it will eventually be in force in the PL, La Liga etc

By Christopher Arnfield.. Posted July 26 2009 at 11:39 AM.

Well least someone is trying to put the fear factor back into Chelsea.. Bout time Captains and Vice-Captains have there say.. Oh Terry the only way u talk is through money aint it?? You have made alot of Chelsea fans think very different off you now.

Still backing Chelsea for the Premier League!!

By Carl UB6.. Posted July 26 2009 at 10:46 AM.

Well Well Mr Lampard

I do not see a Champions League medal emblazoned across your chest!!!!!

Apart from the obvious success that you have had at CFC over the last 6 years I cannot see you making a Champions League Final in the next 6 years,,,however Mr JT is probably thinking the same and is about to edge his bets as the CASH flows at Eastlands with a 10 YEAR plan.

JT may well be better off at Eastland because of the money and who knows he still has about 6 years left in him as a centre Half.

I guess you have 3 at best...

By Yashin.. Posted July 26 2009 at 10:46 AM.

Chelsea is agreat team and if more younger stars are got it will make it more stronger

By paul.. Posted July 26 2009 at 9:14 AM.

We should sell Terry now, and cash in on the self proclaimed Mr Chelsea. Let City buy his LOYALTY. His greed agenda, could derail Chelsea's start to the season. The only constant in a club are the fans. Everyone else is transient.

By Volk.. Posted July 26 2009 at 9:13 AM.

Yes chelsea u dont need to spend but if you remember rightly you spent mega money when u got taken over,so look who's talking
pot calling the kettle black

By phil.. Posted July 26 2009 at 9:09 AM.

No respect for John Terry.
What sort of captain leaves his club in the dark like this.

Hope he goes to Man City to watch Chelsea excel.

By Max.. Posted July 26 2009 at 8:54 AM.

i believe lampard is right ,chelsea need some play markers in d middle.

By chidox.. Posted July 26 2009 at 8:42 AM.

Well our so called Mr Chelsea (John Terry) needs to speak now !! It should not matter if chelsea are to offer 150.000 per week or Man city offer 250.000 your the captain of the club and you have had nothing but support from the true blues all of your career.We are honest to him so why can he not be honest to us.We want a captain that is loyal and honest and by the sounds of it Terry now seems to be neither FRANK LAMPARD to be captain i say and 35 million for our crocked unloyal MR CITY (TERRY) sounds good to me.

By Steve Welch.. Posted July 26 2009 at 8:31 AM.

Yes Mr chelsea Frank Lampard is right we don't need to buy stars...chelsea are the stars...THE BLUESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS FOR LIFE,blue is the colour football is the game.

By Dytone.. Posted July 26 2009 at 7:55 AM.

We luv you mr.Lamps,Mr.Chelsea,it's time 2 hear from you...blueees4life

By Alex oko nigeria.. Posted July 26 2009 at 5:45 AM.

frank lampard has given a good interview there . i just wish terry would come out and give the chelsea supporters a im,going or staying i say let chelsea take the money and run it would be the best business we have done in years

By tomo.. Posted July 25 2009 at 11:14 PM.

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