Frank Lampard is heading back to a place he still calls home.
Chelsea’s record scorer may never hear his name sung as loud as he will this evening.
The now Derby boss will get a standing ovation from everyone in the ground – unlike a certain someone a couple of weeks ago.
SIGN UP – WIN £5k BY PLAYING DREAM TEAM WEEKENDER THIS WEEKEND
Jose Mourinho has been back to Stamford Bridge as Man United manager on three occasions now.
The two-time European champion’s last game in SW6 was a classic, ending 2-2.
Mourinho tried to keep his cool but he was completely triggered by a last-minute equaliser in front of his former worshippers.
The Chelsea fans even broke into a chorus of “F*** off Mourinho” as he traipsed off towards the dressing rooms.
Even for a man with Mourinho’s ego that must have hurt.
Both Lampard and Mourinho were vital components in Chelsea’s title winning successes in 2005 and 2006.
So why is it that Lampard will be given a hero’s welcome and the Portuguese was verbally lynched?
One word, arrogance.
In his pre-match interview before the Premier League clash, Mourinho spoke about his supporters and his stadium, in reference to his time at the west London club.
In the build up to tonight’s Carabao Cup fourth round tie, Frank Lampard had this to say, “I realise how important Chelsea were in my life and what I owe them for that.”
So Chelsea owe Mourinho, and Lampard owes Chelsea.
The self-proclaimed Special One will be sitting at home – waving three fingers at the television – wondering what he did quite so wrong to upset the Chelsea fans.
He might have joined Man United but another former Chelsea man now at Old Trafford Juan Mata was given a warm welcome back.
Then again, who could hate Mata?
Super Frank even scored a last minute goal against Chelsea while on a season-long loan with Man City.
The former England international was given a standing ovation by the Chelsea faithful despite their hero taking two points away from their title challenge.
Respect is earned, not given, Jose.
READ MORE FROM THE WEIRD AND WONDERFUL WORLD OF DREAM TEAM:
- Stats tell us that Martial is just as good as Eden Hazard and Sadio Mane – but that’s not the whole story
- Who is really to blame for Real Madrid’s disastrous start? Not Julen Lopetegui…
- Introducing the Italian side languishing on negative points after 10 games