Tag: Frank Lampard

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FRANK LAMPARD CHARGED BY FA FOR MERSEYSIDE DERBY COMMENTS

Everton boss Frank Lampard has been charged by the Football Association following his comments after his side’s defeat in the Merseyside derby last month.

Lampard claimed Liverpool would have been awarded a spot-kick had Mohamed Salah gone down like Anthony Gordon did in a challenge that referee Stuart Attwell did not penalise.

Gordon, who had been booked for diving in the first half at Anfield, fell after apparent contact from Joel Matip, but Attwell neither awarded a penalty nor issued a second yellow card.

The Toffees subsequently contacted the Professional Game Match Officials Board for a second time this season with concerns over the decision.

Lampard said in his post-match interview: “It is a penalty for me. You don’t get them here. If that was Mo Salah at the other end he gets a penalty. I’m not trying to create conflict; it’s just the reality of football.

“I have played in teams in the top half of the league – you get them. That was a penalty for sure. It’s a clear foul.”

The FA has taken exception to those comments, citing an implication of “bias and/or attack the integrity of the match referee or referees generally”.

An FA statement read: “Frank Lampard has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to post-match media comments that he made following Everton FC’s Premier League match against Liverpool FC on Sunday 24th April.

“It is alleged the manager’s comments constitute improper conduct as they imply bias and/or attack the integrity of the match referee – or referees generally – and/or bring the game into disrepute contrary to FA Rule E3.1.

“Frank Lampard has until Monday 9 May 2022 to provide a response.”

In March, the club received an apology, following another official complaint, from PGMOL chief Mike Riley following the failure to award a handball against Rodri in the home defeat to Manchester City.

On that occasion referee Paul Tierney was unsighted and the VAR, Chris Kavanagh, decided there was insufficient evidence to show the ball had hit the City midfielder on the arm despite television replays being fairly conclusive.

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FRANK LAMPARD RECEIVES APOLOGY FROM MIKE RILEY AFTER EVERTON PENALTY DECISION

Everton manager Frank Lampard has received a personal apology from PGMOL managing director Mike Riley following the controversial decision to not award Everton a penalty during their Premier League meeting with Manchester City on Saturday.

With the Toffees trailing 1-0 the ball seemed to strike Rodri’s hand in the City box, but referee Paul Tierney was not interested and the decision was strangely not referred to VAR.

After the game Everton made an official complaint to the Premier League and according to Sky Sports News the head of refereeing in England has responded, phoning Lampard and Everton chairman Bill Kenwright to say sorry.

After the game Lampard was left fuming, saying in an interview: “The decision is incredible, incredible, and that loses us the opportunity to get what we deserved.”

He explosively added: “We’ve lost a point because of a professional who cannot do his job right. You start searching for whys and I can’t think why. It is so incompetent to get it wrong.

“Pep [Guardiola] will know, Everton fans will know, Man City fans will know, it was the clearest penalty you could give: arm is out – great, below the sleeve – great, I was waiting for the penalty.

“Incompetence at best, at worst who knows? I’ll wait for the statement or apology they do when things are wrong but it will mean nothing.”

Despite Lampard’s inflammatory comments he has not been fined by the FA.

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EPL JANUARY TRANSFER: DELE ALLI JOINS FRANK LAMPARD AT EVERTON, NEWCASTLE SPLASH SAUDI CASH ON DEADLINE DAY

The Premier League January Transfer window is now closed. But the window saw a lot of deadline day deals sealed in the final hours of the window.

Tottenham signed Swedish international forward Dejan Kulusevski and Uruguayan midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus.

Christian Eriksen made a remarkable return to football on Monday by signing for Brentford, while Everton brought in Dele Alli and Donny van de Beek on the day they announced Frank Lampard as the club’s new manager.

Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch while playing for Denmark at last year’s Euro 2020 and had to have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) fitted as a result.

The 29-year-old left Inter Milan in December by mutual consent as ICDs are not permitted in Italian football.

However, there are no such limitations in the Premier League, allowing Eriksen to return to England, where he spent nearly seven years with Tottenham.

“At his best, Christian has the ability to dictate games of football. He can find the right passes and is a goal threat,” said Brentford boss Thomas Frank, who worked with Eriksen while in charge of Denmark’s Under-17s earlier in their careers.

“I expect him to have an impact in the dressing room and at the training ground.”

Brentford have an eight-point cushion over the bottom three but have played more games than all the sides below them.

Everton, Newcastle and Burnley were all active on Monday as the sides towards the bottom of the table were responsible for most of the business done.

Lampard was unveiled as the Toffees’ new boss, bringing to an end a dramatic two-week search for Rafael Benitez’s successor.

The former Chelsea boss made two quick signings with Van de Beek joining on loan from Manchester United and Alli opting for a fresh start away from Tottenham after a disappointing few years.

“It is a huge honour for me to represent and manage a club the size and tradition of Everton Football Club,” said Lampard. “I’m very hungry to get started.”

Newcastle have been the biggest spenders anywhere in England over the past month in their first transfer window under the ownership of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund.

Brighton defender Dan Burn and Aston Villa left-back Matt Targett made the move to St. James’ Park on Monday to join Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood and Bruno Guimaraes.

Burnley have replaced Wood with Dutch international forward Wout Weghorst, who has signed from VfL Wolfsburg for a reported £12 million ($16 million) fee.

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has made clear his demand for fresh faces in recent weeks and finally got his wish with the double signings of Swedish international forward Dejan Kulusevski and Uruguayan midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus.

Arsenal’s forward line is looking threadbare with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang set to join Barcelona on a free transfer.

Aubameyang had been shut out by manager Mikel Arteta in recent weeks for a breach of discipline and did not travel to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp.

Premier League leaders Manchester City have signed forward Julian Alvarez for a reported £14 million, but the Argentine will remain with River Plate on loan until at least July.

The 22-year-old has scored 36 goals in 96 games for River and has five Argentina caps to his name.

“We firmly believe he’s one of the best young attacking players in South America,” said City director of football Txiki Begiristain.

“I am so happy we have managed to bring him to Manchester City. I really believe we can provide him with the right conditions to fulfill his potential and become a top player.”

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LAMPARD’S STATUS UNDIMINISHED DESPITE SACKING – ABRAMOVICH.

Chelsea sacked head coach Frank Lampard on Monday but owner Roman Abramovich has insisted the former midfielder’s status at the club remains undiminished.

The Blues decided to part ways with their record goalscorer after a run of five defeats in eight Premier League games and the PA news agency understands Thomas Tuchel is set to replace the 42-year-old.

With the west London outfit ninth in the table and 11 points off leaders Manchester United after spending £220 million (€248 million) in the summer, Abramovich brought Lampard’s time as manager to an end midway through a three-year deal.

During his playing career at Chelsea, the midfielder won three league titles and the Champions League in 2012, which perhaps explains why the Russian owner made the surprise move to comment on his latest sacking.

Abramovich said: “This was a very difficult decision for the club, not least because I have an excellent personal relationship with Frank and I have the utmost respect for him.

“He is a man of great integrity and has the highest of work ethics. However, under current circumstances we believe it is best to change managers.

“On behalf of everyone at the club, the board and personally, I would like to thank Frank for his work as head coach and wish him every success in the future.

“He is an important icon of this great club and his status here remains undiminished. He will always be warmly welcomed back at Stamford Bridge.”

A club statement added: “There can never be a good time to part ways with a club legend such as Frank, but after lengthy deliberation and consideration it was decided a change is needed now to give the club time to improve performances and results this season.”

Chelsea will make “no further comment” until a new head coach is appointed and they will have to act fast with Wolves set to visit on Wednesday.

Tuchel, who is waiting in the wings, only became available a month ago when he left Paris St Germain less than five months after taking them to the Champions League final, which they lost to Bayern Munich.

The 47-year-old won back-to-back league titles with PSG, but that was not enough to satisfy the club’s ambitious owners who replaced him with Mauricio Pochettino.

Prior to his spell in France, Tuchel impressed in his native Germany with Borussia Dortmund following a spell with Mainz.

Tuchel will be familiar with at least two members of the Chelsea squad after he worked with Thiago Silva at PSG and handed Christian Pulisic a chance at Dortmund while the American was still a teenager.

Brazilian defender Silva commented on Lampard’s departure on social media. He wrote on Instagram: “I would like to thank you for everything you and your committee have done for me since the day I arrived.

As I told you, it seemed like we had been working together for 10 years!! Thank you very much for everything legend.”

Lampard guided the Blues into the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday with a 3-1 win over Luton, but has paid the price for a drastic drop in league form, with the club at the summit in December.

A win percentage of 52.4 per cent after 84 games was not enough to prevent the ex-England international becoming the 10th manager to be sacked by owner Abramovich.

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FRANK LAMPARD INSISTS HE HAS PLANS FOR OLIVIER GIROUD

Frank Lampard insists evergreen striker Olivier Giroud still has a vital role to play at Chelsea.

Blues boss Lampard hailed Rennes match-winner Giroud’s importance at Stamford Bridge, despite the 34-year-old already being linked with a January transfer.

The 44-goal France hitman is determined to reach next summer’s European Championships as Les Bleus’ top striker and could seek a move away from Chelsea for more regular game time.

Giroud’s powerful header snatched the Blues a 2-1 Champions League win at Rennes, securing safe passage to the last 16 with two matches in Group E still to play.

Lampard believes Giroud is managing to improve with age, and maintained the ex-Arsenal man is still highly valued at the Blues.

Asked if Giroud’s goal underlines just why Chelsea want him to stay at Stamford Bridge, Lampard said: ‘Yes, it does, and I’ve felt it first-hand, last year it was him or Tammy (Abraham) fighting for the No 9 spot.

‘Tammy had a great first half of the season, and then Oli in restart was fantastic.

‘And the things behind the scenes, everybody kind of feels from the outside to be fair what a great professional he is and how highly regarded he is by his team-mates and myself.

‘So for him to get a goal, you saw the reaction of his team-mates, he’s so professional in how he trains and looks after himself that age isn’t even a factor for him.

‘He’s getting better with age if anything in terms of how he looks after himself.

‘So he offers a lot for us and I keep saying it but the big schedule coming up and the way we play means I will rely on players.

‘So thankfully for me he’s a player that always keeps the right attitude if he’s not playing regularly, and I know when I call upon him that he comes in as he did.’

Callum Hudson-Odoi’s early strike had the Blues coasting until Serhou Guirassy’s late equaliser left Chelsea ruing a host of missed chances.

World Cup-winner Giroud climbed off the bench to complete a dramatic rescue act though, leaving Lampard once again praising the France star’s patience and professionalism.

‘At the moment Tammy is in great form as well, so I have to pick on face value to get the best for us,’ said Lampard.

‘I hope and I think Oli knows how much I’m happy with him and how much I rely on him in moments.

‘Every player wants to play every game, it’s an impossible part of my job to keep them all happy, but hopefully he knows and he feels content.

‘He got minutes coming on today, and there will be games when he starts for us as well. Hopefully we keep moving forward that way.’

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LAMPARD BELIEVES VAN DIJK’S INJURY WON’T DISRUPT LIVERPOOL’S SEASON

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has questioned to what extent Liverpool will be affected by the absence of Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk will undergo surgery on a damaged anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee having been the victim of an unpunished x-rated challenge from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in Saturday’s Merseyside derby at Goodison.

While Liverpool are reluctant to rule the defender out for the season, the player is facing a lengthy period on the sidelines.

The injury leaves Joel Matip and Joe Gomez as Liverpool’s only two recognised senior centre-backs, with midfielder Fabinho a makeshift alternative.

But while admitting any team would miss Van Dijk, Lampard has suggested the Reds could have the strength in depth to cope with the Dutchman’s absence over the remainder of the campaign.

“I think Virgil van Dijk is clearly an outstanding player,” said Lampard, speaking on Monday ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League group opener against Sevilla on Tuesday.

He’s one of the outstanding defenders in world football and has been for the last two or three seasons.

The loss of a player of that quality and that size is going to affect any team because individuals and the quality of individual players like that make huge differences.

“But we’re talking about Liverpool, we’re talking about a squad that’s been built, that are so strong, with a great manager so – of course nobody wants to lose a player like that and obviously I wish him my best when I see that sort of injury – but it remains to be seen how much it affects Liverpool.”

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LAMPARD NOT WORRIED OVER TAMMY ABRAHAM’S CONTRACT SITUATION

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard believes Tammy Abraham’s prolonged contract negotiations are not affecting his performances.

The 22-year-old reportedly came close to agreeing new terms earlier in the season following a fine start under Lampard.

Abraham has hit 13 Premier League goals but has failed to find the back of the net since a 3-0 win over Burnley on January 11.

His only start since the campaign resumed was in the defeat at West Ham last week – otherwise he has played second fiddle to the more experienced Olivier Giroud.

Lampard has put a lot of faith in his talented batch of youngsters and they have been largely successful, with Chelsea sitting fourth in the table.

The likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Reece James, Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori have all signed new contracts over the past year.

Abraham has yet to follow suit and he has just under two years remaining on his deal at Stamford Bridge.

“I think Tammy’s contract, we are not at a critical level with it,” Lampard said on the eve of the Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.

“I will leave it with him and the club to discuss that side of it. I don’t think it is something that is clearly in his mind now, at least it shouldn’t be.

“What needs to be in his mind now is these games we have coming up and how much he can give us on the pitch, whether coming on as a sub or starting the game.”

Lampard has also told Abraham to keep working hard in training to force his way back into the Blues side.

“He has had a really good season, he hasn’t scored as much in the second half of the season,” added Lampard.

“But as a young player it is always clear when you have these periods there is only one way out of it and that is work and repetition in training.

“I think that is where Tammy is at. I think the contract will hopefully look after itself between him and the club and he just needs to focus on giving us that Tammy that we had earlier in the season.

”He was giving defenders so much of a problem in games and scoring regularly and it all came from how he was training and working in the week.

“That is just what he has to sustain all the time.”