Tuesday, 30th September, 2014
Roma defender Ashley Cole has insisted that he “never expected” to play against Frank Lampard, ahead of his side’s Champions League clash with Manchester City tonight.
Cole and Lampard, who had been team-mates at Chelsea for eight seasons, decided to quit the Stamford Bridge outfit this summer.
While the left-back was snapped up by Roma, Lampard signed for MLS side New York City FC before joining the English champions on a six-month loan deal.
And Cole feels Lampard, who scored against his former club Chelsea earlier in the month, has brought a wealth of experience with him to the Etihad Stadium.
The 33-year-old also added that he was pleased to meet his former England team-mate and Manchester City custodian Joe Hart before the Group E encounter.
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“It's good to see Joe Hart and Lamps – I never expected to play against him [Lampard]”, Cole explained to UEFA’s official site.
“It will be good to see him if we're both selected. I think everyone knows what Lampard brings to every team.
“It's another experienced player for City and he brings goals. He scored one against Chelsea. He probably didn't like that but he's paid to do a job.
“It was probably a bit disappointing for him to do that against Chelsea.”
Cole, who joined Chelsea from their local rivals Arsenal in 2006, amassed 337 appearances in all competitions for the Blues, scoring seven times.
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