Frank Lampard has confirmed the long-standing rumours that he never got along with Cesc Fabregas.
Lampard and Fabregas never played a game together at Chelsea as it was the Blues’ signing of the Spaniard in 2014 that ultimately resulted in Lampard’s decision to leave the club he had represented for 13 years.
The midfielders had clashed on several occasions in the past as opponents, both when Fabregas was at Arsenal and at Barcelona.
And when Fabregas arrived at Stamford Bridge, it was Lampard’s cue to call time on his Chelsea career.
“We never played together! They let me go to get Cesc in,” Lampard said on BT Sport this weekend.
“Me and Cesc never really got on well on the pitch so they didn’t think we could share a dressing room.”
Gunners midfielder Jack Wilshere shed light on the rivalry between the players five years ago, claiming that Fabregas’ motivation to score against the Blues would be his contempt for Lampard.
“I think Cesc would love to score tonight,” Wilshere wrote on Twitter ahead of the 2012 Champions League semi-final between Chelsea and Barcelona.
“Him and Lampard never liked each other on the pitch.”
While they may not have enjoyed each other’s company due to bad blood which went back years, Lampard displayed admirable class with his well wishes for Fabregas in 2014.
Lampard went on to sign for New York City FC before surprising many by moving to Manchester City on a six-month loan deal but he never hoped that his successor at Chelsea would fail.
“I’d hate to put pressure on him. What I’ve done at Chelsea will never change,” the ex-England international said when he was replaced in Chelsea’s midfield.
“I hope they do well – Cesc and myself have had our battles in the past but I wish him the best because I wish Chelsea all the best.”
