MX23RW : Thursday, December 26 15:27:32| >> :60:234:234:
[monks data]
Attendance: 61,104
Spurs logo
Premier League | Gameweek 18
Dec 22, 2019 at 4.30pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-2)
Willian (12', 45' pen.)

I won't be calling him boss - Lampard strives to be equal with 'rival' Mourinho

I won't be calling him boss - Lampard strives to be equal with 'rival' Mourinho
© Reuters
Frank Lampard won two Premier League titles under Jose Mourinho's Chelsea tutelage.

Frank Lampard insists he will not be calling Jose Mourinho "boss" in Sunday's London derby at Tottenham.

Chelsea chief Lampard revealed he still refers to the bulk of his former managers as boss out of respect, but conceded he cannot use that term for his Tottenham counterpart.

Former England midfielder Lampard explained he still holds his former Chelsea manager in the highest regard, but must treat the Portuguese as both equal and rival this weekend.

Lampard won two Premier League titles under Mourinho's Chelsea tutelage and now the duo will square up amid derby intensity at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

"I would always have big respect for all my managers; if I was to text or ring a manager, I'd always call them boss or gaffer, even when long gone," said Lampard.

"But when you go up against someone like that, so influential, I knew it was different. It was a good honour to go up against him (for Derby against Manchester United last season), but I wanted to beat him.

  • Three Premier League titles
  • One FA Cup
  • Three League Cups
  • One FA Community Shield

"It would be strange to call him boss now. Now I am an ex-player, on this side of the fence, I won't be calling him boss.

"But that doesn't take away from the respect I have for him. And it's not the me and Jose show. It's a game against Tottenham.

"I want to beat him. I respect him and know what a top manager he is. He wants to beat me because he used to manage Chelsea, he used to manage me, and now he's managing Tottenham and wants to beat us."

Mourinho won three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and three League Cups across two spells as Chelsea boss.

Mourinho, left, and Lampard went head to head as managers for the first time last season
Mourinho, left, and Lampard went head to head as managers for the first time last season (Martin Rickett/PA)

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United boss knew Blues supporters would not look kindly on his Spurs switch, and Lampard knows the fans could voice discontent this weekend.

Asked if he expects Chelsea fans to make their point to Mourinho, Lampard said: "If you go to the fiercest rivals, the fans will give the answer. That doesn't mean they've forgotten the history or don't respect it.

"Jose Mourinho is a manager who wants to work. He took that opportunity.

"Jose Mourinho won't be too concerned about that, either. Look at the times he's come back with United; it did look like (he doesn't care).

"We know it's a huge rivalry (between Chelsea and Tottenham). Probably, in my era, it became the biggest of the London derbies.

"It felt like that in the stadia and on the pitch. So possibly it is.

"Any rivalry, any local derby, ups the ante slightly. I remember that feeling, that eagerness to win and desperation not to lose. That's how we all feel about it."

England strikers Tammy Abraham and Harry Kane will go head-to-head in Sunday's Spurs clash, with Lampard insisting Chelsea's hitman can have no better role model than his Tottenham counterpart.

Lampard believes Tammy Abraham, pictured, should look at Harry Kane as a role model
Lampard believes Tammy Abraham, pictured, should look at Harry Kane as a role model (John Walton/PA)

"There's no better person for him (Abraham) to look up to in football than Harry Kane.

"Harry Kane is the all-round number nine, if not the best then close to being the best in the world. He should look up to that.

"I know he does, and is trying to take up the work ethic Harry has to try and be the best in the world.

Lampard can see similar traits between himself and Tottenham striker Harry Kane
Lampard can see similar traits between himself and Tottenham striker Harry Kane (John Walton/PA)

"He will be different, but he can go really, really far following that kind of model."

Asked if Kane shows similar traits to him in his playing days, Lampard added: "Yes, from the outside, he does remind me of myself. He's maximised every bit of his talent, or is maximising it.

"He's a driven boy, family man, wants to work and eke every bit out of his career. I have huge respect for him. We'll be rivals on Sunday, but we have huge respect for him."

ID:383595: cacheID:383595:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:11473:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Spain attacker Isco in action with Faroe Islands defender Gilli Sorensen in their Euro 2020 qualifier on June 7, 2019
Read Next:
Chelsea 'line up £44m bid for Isco'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Manchester CityMan City188463026428
7Aston Villa178452626028
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton173861522-717
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!