Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has paid tribute to Frank Lampard, who is set to play his last Premier League match this weekend.
Lampard enjoyed a 13-year spell with Chelsea and during Mourinho’s first spell at the west London outfit, which lasted from 2004 until his departure in 2007, the duo won two successive league titles in 2005 and 2006.
The 36-year-old joined Manchester City at the start of the current season and is set to make his last Premier League appearance when the Citizens play Southampton at the Etihad Stadium this weekend as the veteran midfielder is set to leave for MLS outfit New York City.
Mourinho, who lavished praise on another departing Premier League hero Steven Gerrrard earlier this month, has lauded Lampard for his contribution to Chelsea and the league and wants the midfielder to return to England soon and help the nation’s football in some capacity.
“In the same way I said a few words about Steven Gerrard, I have to do the same, with even more emotion, about Frank Lampard, who is also playing his last match in the Premier League”, the manager was quoted as saying by his club’s site.
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“He is one of my best players ever, best professionals ever, a Chelsea legend and a legend in the Premier League.
“It’s the last match for Frank and obviously I have to honour him and wish him the best in the States.
“I hope he will be back in England as soon as possible because people like him make this country much better, he’s a big loss for English football.”
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