Hertha Berlin preempts another Chelsea reunion at Derby County
By George Perry
Hertha Berlin will not let Frank Lampard go too overboard in turning Derby County blue. The Bundesliga club proactively shut down talk of Salomon Kalou leaving Berlin to play for Lampard in the Championship.
Salomon Kalou is far from ready to take on a sunset transfer to close out his career in the lower tiers under a friendly coach. The 32-year old led Hertha Berlin with 12 goals last season, his fourth double-digit season in the six years since he left Chelsea as a Champions League winner. Hertha Berlin are planning a future around him, and made quite clear he is not about to reunite with Frank Lampard.
Berlin’s manager Michael Preetz did not mince words about the rumours of Lampard’s interest in Kalou. Preetz acknowledged Kalou and Lampard are friends, and that at some point Kalou would leave. But it will not be this summer, and when it does happen, it is “hardly going to be the English second division.”
Kalou won the Champions League, a Premier League title and one of each domestic cup while at Chelsea. He scored 60 goals for the Blues, splitting his time almost evenly between the left and right wings. Since leaving after the 2011/12 season, he traded the right side for the centre as a striker, while also still playing on the left. The shift has increased his goal-scoring rate. At Chelsea he scored about once every four games. Over two seasons at Lille he scored every 2.4 games, and since joining Hertha Berlin he has a goal every three games.
Derby County have been linked already to one other member of Chelsea’s Golden Generation. Frank Lampard is understandably considering bringing John Terry over from the cash-strapped Aston Villa. The move could see Terry take a player-assistant manager role, as the two prepare for their eventual return to Stamford Bridge as coaches.
Lampard’s hire has also opened up the possibility of Derby County being Chelsea’s top loan destination in England. The Rams nearly earned their way into the Premier League last season, and will be favourites for promotion next season. This means Chelsea will need to maximize their loanee development time under Frank Lampard now, as they will only be able to loan one player to Derby County if they gain promotion. If Terry is there along with several loan players, all working under Lampard, the impact on the future of Chelsea could be immeasurable.
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Frank Lampard at least has a willing partner in Chelsea. Hertha Berlin understandably wish to protect Salomon Kalou, whereas Chelsea should have no compunction about sending young Blues to be temporary Rams. This particular reunion will have to wait.