Six players Chelsea should have held on to
Ever since the arrival of Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovich, Chelsea Football Club has been a breeding ground for success. But, the cost for the oligarch’s thirst for immediate trophies has been steep. There has been a multitude of coaches who have come and gone, including highly successful ones such as Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho.But, it’s not just the managers who have paid the price at Stamford Bridge, as players have been discarded at the same alarming pace after they were deemed not good enough. While the West London side have undoubtedly achieved great success, both on and off the field, one feels they were a little too hasty in letting these six players go.
#1 Frank Lampard
Why Frank Lampard did not get an extension on his Chelsea contract is one of the most perplexing questions posed to the Blues’ hierarchy.
A true legend in West London, and one of the all-time greats to play the beautiful game of football, ‘Super Frank’ Lampard became Chelsea’s highest every goalscorer, from midfield. Not to mention, he won everything there was to be won in the club game – The Premier League, the FA Cup, the League Cup, the UEFA Champions League as well the Europa League.
Apart from his exploits in the blue of Chelsea, he would come back to haunt his former employers the following season in the blue of Manchester City (on loan from New York City FC) as he scored a late equaliser at the Etihad Stadium.
Even then, there was no one who received a bigger cheer that night that Chelsea’s favourite midfield son – a measure of the respect he commands.