What sort of reception will Frank Lampard receive when he returns to Stamford Bridge today…
Chelsea legend Frank Lampard returns to Stamford Bridge today for the first time since leaving the club last summer. There has been plenty of speculation over what sort of reception the now Manchester City midfielder will receive, so what can he expect?
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History tells us that players who leave a club on good terms tend to be welcomde back, particularly when they’ve put in so many good years of service for that club. Lampard was adored in West London and it’s hard to imagine him receiving any boos.
However, the circumstances that took Lampard to City, including the seemingly false move to New York City, have created plenty of animosity towards him. Add in the fact that City are Chelsea’s closest rival for the Premier League title and that Lampard scored against the Blues last time out and you could see where some potential problems might arise.
Below, we’ve counted town eight notable players that have returned, or are preparing to return to their former employers this term, and rate them in terms of the backlash that has so far been shown towards them:
Frank Lampard (Manchester City, going back to Chelsea)
Lampard played for Chelsea between 2001 and 2014, scoring 211 goals in 648 games. In that time he won 13 major honours and was firmly touching legendary status. How many Chelsea fans will forget that later on today?
Animosity Rating (predicted): 4/10
Joleon Lescott (West Bromwich Albion, going back to Everton)
Everton fans took exception to Lescott’s big money move to Manchester City and even now have not fully forgiven him. The player was criticised for his poor attitude as he attempted to force through a move.
Animosity Rating: 6/10
Jack Colback (Newcastle United, going back to Sunderland)
Colback has already suffered his fair share of abuse after moving from Sunderland to Newcastle. When he does eventually return to the Stadium of Light, he’s likely to be in for a difficult afternoon.
Animosity Rating (predicted): 8/10
Emmanuel Adebayor (Tottenham Hotspur, going back to Arsenal)
Everybody remembers the infamous celebration at Manchester City after Adebayor left Arsenal. As if to rub insult to injury, the Togolese international would then move from City to the Gunners’ North London rivals Tottenham.
Animosity Rating: 7/10
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United, going back to Everton)
Another big money departure that many Everton fans never truly forgave. Time has healed this one to an extend, but Rooney is still subject to a fair few jeers every time he returns to Goodison Park, even a decade on.
Animosity Rating: 6/10
Samir Nasri (Manchester City, going back to Arsenal)
Another former Arsenal player who somewhat forced his way out of the door. Nasri’s cause has not been helped by some less that complimentary comments about the Gunners since he left the Emirates Stadium.
Animosity Rating: 9/10
Adam Lallana (Liverpool, going back to Southampton)
Liverpool travel to Southampton next month with Lallana returning to the club he led to the Premier League. While plenty of Saints fans were understandably disappointed with his exit, they should remember how much he did for them.
Animosity Rating (predicted): 3/10
Robin van Persie (Manchester United, going back to Arsenal)
If ever there was a traitor among the current Premier League crop, it’s the Dutchman. Arsenal fans were devastated to see Van Persie leave and the fact that he led United to the title in his first season hardly helped the situation.
Animosity Rating: 10/10