Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has insisted he respects Frank Lampard’s decision to join Manchester City.
The Blues’ record goalscorer left to join New York City in the summer after 13 years at Stamford Bridge and subsequently moved to the Etihad Stadium on loan.
Lampard could play against his former club when they face City on Sunday – an outcome few could have predicted when he departed for the United States.
Mourinho said: “I wouldn’t have imagined it if you asked me one, two, three, four or five years ago, or a few months ago when he signed for New York.
“I wasn’t expecting it but it is his decision, his life and I respect that. It is his decision and he has my respect.”
Lampard, 36, scored 211 goals for Chelsea and made 429 league appearances for the club after being signed from West Ham in 2001.
He helped Chelsea win 11 major trophies, including three Premier League titles and the 2012 Champions League.
The midfielder made his City debut in their 2-2 draw at Arsenal on Saturday.
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This post was last modified on 19/09/2014