Chelsea legend speaks to City website about his best XI.Former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has risked the wrath of Manchester City supporters by naming five of his former Blues team-mates in his all-time XI.
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The 36-year-old, currently on loan at the Etihad Stadium from their MLS franchise side New York City FC, spoke to the club’s official site about his personal favourite XI.
With just one City player selected, Lampard may not be doing a great job of endearing himself to his new fans, with Chelsea players past and present dominating the lineup hugely.
See below for a run-through of Lampard’s best-ever XI:
GK: Petr Cech (Chelsea)
Although no longer first choice at Chelsea, it is no surprise to see Lampard select Petr Cech as the best goalkeeper he has played with. The Czech Republic international was number one at Stamford Bridge for the majority of Lampard’s time with the Blues, becoming one of the team’s most important players in their recent success.
DR: Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)
An all-action right-back with superb work-rate, commitment and an eye for goal, Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic gets in ahead of Lampard’s current Man City team-mates Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna.
DL: Ashley Cole (AS Roma)
A great team-mate for Lampard for club and country down the years, Ashley Cole is a no-brainer for the 36-year-old’s pick at left-back, having been one of the best full-backs in the modern era at his peak. The veteran defender left Chelsea along with Lampard this summer, joining Italian side AS Roma.
DC: John Terry (Chelsea)
He was never going to leave him out, was he? Chelsea captain John Terry is Lampard’s first choice for one of the two centre-back places, having been a highly dependable team-mate of his for club and country throughout his career.
DC: Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)
Manchester City’s current defensive star and club captain, Vincent Kompany is chosen by Lampard as his ideal partner for John Terry, describing the Belgian international as a player of a similar mould to his old team-mate.
MC: Xavi (Barcelona)
In central midfield, Barcelona great Xavi gets in ahead of any of Lampard’s former midfield partners (Steven Gerrard, anyone?), with the ex-England international describing the Nou Camp veteran was one of the hardest players he’s had to play against.
MC: Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
Alongside Xavi in midfield is his long-time club and country partner Andres Iniesta, whom Lampard was also full of praise for. The Spaniard notably scored a late, late equaliser to knock Chelsea out of the Champions League semi-finals on away goals back in 2009, helping them on their way to the treble.
MR: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Selected on the right-hand side by Lampard, Cristiano Ronaldo makes this best XI, with the former Chelsea star describing him as one of the best players in the world, capable of scoring all kinds of goals.
ML: Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
Another Real Madrid winger on the opposite flank, Gareth Bale makes Lampard’s best XI for his superb recent form for Real Madrid and Wales, with the former Tottenham Hotspur wide-man establishing himself as one of the best attacking players in the world.
FC: Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
Although Lampard has missed Didier Drogba’s Chelsea return this summer, the two were among the club’s best players in the 00s and early 10s, with Lampard describing him as a great striker and big personality in the dressing room.
FC: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
The best player in the world, it is no surprise to see Lionel Messi selected upfront for Lampard’s all-time XI, with the Barcelona star likely to go down in history as one of the best of all time after his superb goalscoring exploits in recent years – even if he has never made much of an impression in games against Lampard’s Chelsea!