Harry Redknapp: I Would Have Kept Frank Lampard At Chelsea FC
QPR manager and Frank Lampard’s uncle Harry Redknapp said at a press conference that he would have kept the player at Chelsea FC another year due to his contributions both on and off the field. Redknapp believes that Chelsea may regret letting Frank Lampard go but that he may be interested in what he calls “a new project” in the MLS with New York City FC.
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It has yet to be confirmed by anyone involved that Frank Lampard will be heading to NYCFC or anywhere else but the midfielder did say that he will not make any decisions until after the World Cup. Until then, Lampard’s fans will have to settle for simple speculation and perhaps comments from members of Frank’s family.
Harry Redknapp on Lampard’s impact on and off the pitch:
"“Absolutely I would keep him at Chelsea, he’s worth his weight in gold just to be around the place. I think Roy (Hodgson) feels the same. You need good characters around whether it is England or your football club. You’ve got (Steven) Gerrard and Lampard with England – proper guys that the youngsters can look up to.”"
Redknapp on the possibility of Lampard heading to NYCFC:
"“Maybe if he’s going to go, now’s the time. I’m sure he’ll be focused on the World Cup now – he won’t be thinking about much else. It could be exciting to go to New York, though – a new project over there – but he’ll be successful in whatever he wants to do. The only person Frank would ask for advice is his dad, but he’ll know, he’s a very shrewd boy. He’s got his girlfriend as well, and they might fancy New York for a couple of years. I don’t think Frank will be happy not playing regularly – he’s not used to it and he won’t fancy not playing.”"
Redknapp, also spoke about the quality of the MLS and recalled his time spent with the Seattle Sounders in the 1970s:
"“I went out to Seattle and it’s a great time, a fantastic experience. Thierry Henry’s out there now and Jermain Defoe, but in the 1970s there were much better players out there! Seriously, though, you had Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff, Gerd Muller, Pele and Carlos Alberto. Most of that great Dutch team of the 1970s went out there, and even Bobby Moore and George Best at points too. I think it was far more star-studded then, but it has moved on a level again recently.”"
The only thing that is 100% clear is that Frank Lampard will not be returning to Chelsea or Stamford Bridge next year. A move to another Premier League move is unlikely after how long he spent at Chelsea and the fans would certainly prefer that. The MLS would be much better off with a player of his caliber and a person of his quality.
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