Frank Lampard admits he’s ‘always been’ a ‘huge fan’ of Man City star Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish is thriving under Pep Guardiola’s tutelage in the same way Jose Mourinho boosted Frank Lampard’s playing career, according to the Chelsea manager.

Grealish was outstanding in his second season at Manchester City, who today host Chelsea, and has overtaken Lampard’s record as England player creating the most chances in a Premier League campaign.

While there were doubts over the fitness of the former Villa player at City following his transfer in 2021, Grealish has shown why Guardiola was willing to break the UK’s transfer record for the £100 million man.

“I love Jack Grealish, I’m a big fan and always have been,” said Lampard.

“You see players come through, especially young English players with quality and personality, and he has both in abundance.

City bosses Guardiola (left) and Grealish (right) were pictured partying as Man City were crowned Premier League champions on Saturday

“Over the last two years there have been a lot of eyes on the price Manchester City paid for him and to some extent there have been big question marks as to whether that was right or wrong.

“But he has moved his game forward in terms of his work ethic off the ball and being part of the team structure they have there. And what he does on the ball always gets better.

“With his awareness and his skill, he is a real asset to himself and to the team. If you don’t show what needs to be done on the field, you won’t get on the team there. Not all players react well to that situation and Jack has responded absolutely brilliantly. He’s a top player.’

Lampard pointed out that he was in a different situation when Mourinho arrived at Chelsea in 2004, having been signed from West Ham for a big fee two years earlier, but he still admits the Portuguese manager has changed his career.

Chelsea won the title in each of Mourinho’s first two seasons and Lampard was voted Footballer of the Year before becoming the club’s all-time record goalscorer.

“I was at Chelsea for a few years before Jose came here. He definitely influenced me in a positive way, more my mentality and confidence. He gave me a little more confidence and then he created a really good but simple structure that really suited me and meant I could become a box-to-box midfielder. That was the plus point I had there.

“With Jack, only he and Pep would know that story exactly, how it works. Obviously it’s an honor for both of them, but for this one it’s all credit to Jack because he’s the one who has responded so positively and now he looks like a really complete player.’

Lampard compared his relationship with Jose Mourinho (right) to Grealish’s relationship with Guardiola

The England international has five goals and seven assists in the Premier League this year

Lampard also praised Guardiola. “Knowing Pep a little and seeing him working for a few days after I finished playing, and playing against his teams, it is clear that he has an incredible football brain and a great work ethic. If I can try to follow that in my own way, that’s the best I can do.’

His second stint as Chelsea manager, this time on an interim basis, comes to an end this weekend and Lampard says he has nothing else in store. “I’m always thinking about what’s next for me. I think that’s pretty normal. But at the same time I’m focusing here.

‘For me there is nothing concrete, I can say that. I’m going to continue my work here for the next 10 days and then I’ll probably think about it a lot more.”

Lampard revealed that Carney Chukwuemeka may be accepted into the England squad after Sunday’s final Premier League games if they are still involved in the Under-20 World Cup, which kicked off this weekend.

Chelsea refused to release the former Villa midfielder for England’s group matches against Tunisia, Uruguay and Iraq this week, but if they make the last 16 Chukwuemeka could fly to Argentina to join them.

Lampard said Carney Chukwuemeka may be allowed to join England U20 squad

The midfielder has played just 240 minutes this season, but Lampard plans to use him in Chelsea’s remaining three games.

“He’s a Chelsea player and we have injuries in that area. It was a big step for him and he hasn’t managed to get many minutes but hopefully there will be a chance for him in these three games.

“Where we have lost players, we need him to stay. There is a possibility he could join at the end of the season if England progress to the next stages, so ideally that could mean the best of both worlds.

“But he’s our player and we had to make that decision. I felt a little bit for Carney, he wanted to go but at the same time what happened meant he had to stay.’