Loading ...Jul 28 2008
Unexpected Turn for Lampard Leaves Him Stuck with Chelsea
Frank Lampard had to know Jose Mourinho and Inter Milan were going to find somebody else to fill the central midfielder’s role this season should he not leave Chelsea this summer and join his former coach in Italy, but it’s unlikely he figured Inter to move for somebody like Sulley Muntari. It is a move that could close his best exit route from Stamford Bridge. If the midfielder really does want to finish his career outside England, as he has said before he wants to do, he may look back with disappointment at the decisions he’s made this summer.
After it became clear Lampard would not be coming for the start of their season, Inter moved for Portsmouth’s Sulley Muntari, completing that acquisition today. Muntari is not a one-season solution. The 24-year-old Ghana international signed a four year deal and is still improving. While a midfield that would see Lampard and Muntari playing together next fall is enticing, consider the amount Inter’s spent on Muntari. The €14 million they gave Portsmouth is ther Lampard money. It’s unlikely they would allocate so much money to one spot, especially considering the salary Lampard would require on top of a transfer fee.
Of course, next summer Lampard’s transfer fee would be nothing. With his contract up, Lampard could join any side he wants, and if he wants to play with Mourinho badly enough, Inter could find a way to afford him. Mourinho’s hinting at wanting to thin out a deep and star-studded striker force. Money will be available should Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Adriano move on.
It is possible, though, Inter will be far less interested in bringing Lampard in one season from now. A 31-year-old midfielder standing to make £150,000 per week is a precarious proposition. Lampard has a reputation for being a very physically fit player, so playing at a high level for two, three, four additional years would not be a surprise. But wanting a five year deal from Chelsea, would Lampard settle for less from Inter, especially considering his is likely to be hearing offers from other clubs around the continent. One team will be willing to offer him a five year deal, even if it means potentially having to eat the last year-or-so when Lampard won’t be playing at the same level. It’s possible Inter will not be that team, though.
One team that is willing to make that deal is Chelsea, who is reported to have a £150,000 per week, four year offer extended to Lampard. Some reports have the deal being five years in length. If so, Lampard may want to take advantage of that offer now. He may desire a shift of scenery and want to rejoin Mourinho, but lift for him at the Bridge is not that bad. He is a beloved player for a club that is committed to staying at the top of the footballing world. He has a firm offer in front of him, whereas there is some uncertainty as to whether there will be deals out there come next summer. One injury, one tactical change from new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari can see Lampard’s market value dip. For somebody who does seem to be angling for a deal of maximum value, he may want to take the chickens in hand.
Even if Inter has moved on, you can see a team like Milan willing to break the bank for Lampard. Clubs like Juventus or Bayern Munich could also, depending on what happens this season, be looking to bring in a star, central midfielder. Chelsea may also keep its offer on the table into next summer. Whatever the hypothetical scenarios for next summer, Lampard’s immediate options have narrowed with the Muntari deal. If he wants to secure his future before January, he now has Chelsea. And that’s it.
Quotes
“Muntari will be our last acquisition, now we must work on reducing the squad as coach Jose Mourinho wants 22 players and three goalkeepers.” - Gabriele Oriali, sporting director, Inter Milan
“I’m not disappointed by Lampard. The important thing for a player is to do what makes him happy. If his decision is to stay at Chelsea I accept that.” - Mourinho
Links
Inter Milan end interest in Lampard
Jose Expects Lampard to Stay
Inter Give Mixed Messages Over Lampard
Muntari ends Inter Lamps chase
Inter sign Muntari and give up on Lampard
Inter rule out Lampard after Muntari signs
Muntari will be last signing, say Inter Milan
Inter still keen on Lampard
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