Chelsea star admitted devastation at best friend leaving - 'Doesn't sit right'
Enzo Maresca is bracing himself for a challenging second summer transfer window at Chelsea as he aims to return the club to a place of prestige. He may have to make some tough calls in the coming months, which could involve breaking up certain friendships at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea, who face Real Betis in the Europa Conference League final on Wednesday, have been viewed largely as a team of individuals in recent times. However, after securing fourth place on Sunday and a spot in next season's Champions League, it's clear there are relationships within this squad worth keeping together.
That sentiment echoes how John Terry felt when best friend and fellow club legend Frank Lampard decided to leave the Blues in 2014. After a successful 13-year stint that included three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, one Champions League and a Europa League triumph, 'Super Frank' felt his time in west London had come to an end.
Chelsea's all-time leading scorer left in a controversial manner, not least because many supporters were reluctant to see him go, even at 36. It was initially believed he had agreed to join New York City FC ahead of their MLS debut in January 2015, but he instead signed with sister club Manchester City on a six-month contract that eventually extended to a full season.
Chelsea stalwart Terry was left gutted by the split, which occurred three years before he himself left Stamford Bridge for Aston Villa. He found it particularly hard to stomach fellow club greats like Lampard and Ashley Cole becoming his rivals, with the latter also leaving in 2014 to sign for Roma.
"It just doesn't seem right to see them in different shirts. Maybe over time that will ease, but it doesn't seem right," said Terry in 2014, via football.london."We have grown up together and won and lost together at Chelsea. We have done many great things and it was sad to see them go."
Terry, 44, and Lampard, 46, were the bedrock of Chelsea's golden years, always ensuring the Blues remained a formidable force amid a revolving door of managers and marquee players. But for the first time in nearly 15 years, the club icons experienced their football battles from opposite sides.
Despite the bittersweet departure of his comrade, Terry's admiration for Lampard never wavered. And he has often singled his pal out as Chelsea's finest of all time.
"To me there is no doubt [he's the best]. Before that there was Gianfranco Zola but Lampard has been an absolute legend here and his legacy will remain ever," added Terry. "It's a legacy for the younger boys to come and try and fill those big boots and replicate what he's done. That will be very tough for someone but he's an absolute hero for the fans, with the players as well and how he pushed us individually and collectively.
"He has been an idol and someone I inspired to be like in training. Around the place he was a great character but footballing wise I have never come across someone who works as hard as he does to improve his game."
Both Lampard and Terry have rekindled their Chelsea connections since retirement, each briefly serving in coaching slots though never patrolling the same touchline. Lampard took the reins from July 2019 to January 2021 before parachuting in to weather an 11-game crisis towards the end of a tumultuous 2022/23 season.
Terry took a different path and joined as a consultant in early 2022 before pivoting to become a Chelsea academy coach 18 months later. He's currently operating in the dugout for the Baller League's 26ers, while Lampard barely missed out on securing Coventry City a ticket to the Championship play-off final.
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Scottish Sun
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The National
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