Frank Lampard backs up Jack Wilshere after the Arsenal injury-troubled man moved on loan to Bournemouth on Deadline Day
Frank Lampard is still a matchwinner in New York and gives his perspective on another crazy-looking transfer window
BEING 3,500 MILES away gives Frank Lampard a bit of perspective on the Premier League and another crazy-looking transfer window.
So while others may be stunned by his former club Chelsea re-signing David Luiz and Jack Wilshere going on loan from Arsenal to Bournemouth, Lampard is more calm about it.
And as a player who has suffered frustration with injuries this year, he has sympathy with serial crock Wilshere, 24.
Lampard, still a matchwinner in New York at the age of 38, said: “People will be surprised by it but I think it’s great because he has to play.
“I’ve been very fortunate with injuries in my career but I’ve had a few more at the back end. I know the frustrations.
“I don’t know why he has been injured for a long time.
“But I’d love to see Jack play regularly at Bournemouth.
“Then I’m sure the future is bright for him.
“He’s a big player for England. We want talented midfielders like that to come through. Only by playing regularly can he do that.”
After seeing Lampard give a two-goal man-of-the-match performance for New York City FC, it was tempting to think Sam Allardyce could do worse than recall the 106-cap veteran.
Or to speculate that if Chelsea are willing to shell out £32million to bring David Luiz back to Stamford
Bridge, maybe they should swoop for club legend Lampard again, too.
The man himself sees the sense in the Luiz deal.
He said: “It’s a good signing. I played with David. He’s a great defender, great energy. At today’s prices, it’s probably not a bad signing generally.”
You wonder how much a Lampard in his prime would be worth in this mad market.
Surely more than the British record £89million Manchester United paid for Paul Pogba.
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Lampard will be watching when Pogba and his former boss at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho, take on neighbours City in a blockbuster clash on Saturday.
But his loyalties will be firmly with the blue half of Manchester.
Lampard said: “Of course I have respect for Jose.
“But I had a great time at City for a year and they were great people for me. I never imagined playing at a club after Chelsea. But the staff, the people behind the scenes, the fans really welcomed me.
“So my loyalties will be there watching that game.”
Watching Lampard play remains a pleasure. Before the 3-2 win over DC United, he was honoured for reaching the landmark of 300 goals for club and country two weeks earlier.
And then he started work on his fourth century of strikes with a brilliant brace, including a stoppage-time winner.
Lampard celebrated the goals as if they were his first.
He said: “The moment I can’t do stuff like that . . . I don’t want to play sitting on the halfway line LIKE a 38-year-old.
“That’s not my game. I need to stay as fit as I can. I love scoring goals.
“Last-minute winners are always the best ones. When I was injured earlier in the season, you struggle away in the gym and dream of moments like that. That’s what inspires you to keep working away.
“I don’t want this to be a club that I’ve come to at this part of my career, where it doesn’t work. I want to do everything I can to make it work.”
If Wilshere takes the same attitude to Bournemouth, Lampard’s confidence in him may be justified.