GRAEME LE SAUX knows more than most the impact West Ham had on Frank Lampard.
It was evident as soon as Lampard walked through the doors at Chelsea in June 2001 — a transfer that would change the club’s fortunes for ever.
Frank Lampard signed for Chelsea for £11m – a surprising fee at the time – in 2001Credit: Getty Images – Getty
After flourishing at one of the most successful and talent-filled academy systems in recent times with the Hammers, he would go on to lift every major trophy on offer.
But that did not stop Le Saux, then in his second spell with the Blues, and the rest of the west London old guard initially turning their noses up at the £11million transfer fee.
Speaking to SunSport, the ex-Chelsea defender admitted: “We already knew a bit about him.
“He had established himself at West Ham and was an exciting young player.
“Some of us had already had a taste of his ability when Terry Venables invited him down for a few England sessions.
“But the big talking point was the price-tag. We all were astounded at how much the club had spent on someone who still had a lot to prove.
“But it proved just how little we knew about football because he paid back that fee pretty much instantly.
“He went on to become one of the most crucial players in Chelsea’s entire history.”
Lampard’s route into the first team could not have been more daunting.
He was tasked with knocking the likes of Dennis Wise, Roberto Di Matteo and Didier Deschamps off their perches.
Graeme Le Saux and the rest of the west London old guard initially turning their noses up at the dealCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
But as Le Saux recalls, his instant impact saw those experienced heads immediately resigned to the scrap heap.
He continued: “Frank took that midfield spot by force — that’s how impressive he was.
“He had his own sense of who he was and knew what he was capable of.
“He trained extremely hard, whether it was a physical or tactical session, and even had the ability to compete physically with the likes of Marcel Desailly.
“And the work he did on his left foot was incredible; sometimes using it for a whole session.
“But that wasn’t how he was just for the first couple of years, it was for his whole career. That was what he did better than anyone else.
“A lot of people took for granted just how consistent he was.” Lampard is now looking to produce that consistency as a manager.
And he is up against his old side West Ham this afternoon for the first time since hanging up his boots.
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Lampard became part of the furniture at Stamford Bridge in his 13-year stay as a playerCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Lampard become part of the furniture at Stamford Bridge in his 13-year stay as a player — and Le Saux has no hesitation in admitting who must take credit for his meteoric rise.
He said: “Frank came from a footballing background and family and had a sixth sense about what was best for a young player. He found that at West Ham.
“It’s a fantastic academy and club with a great culture.
“When you’re a young, dedicated and ambitious player, however, you can have a club under your skin. But when there is the chance to join an elite club then you are going to do it.
“The proof is in the success he had.
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“For West Ham fans, it must have been hard to see a home-grown player leave but, unfortunately, that’s where supporters and players are different in terms of their mentality.
“You have one career to be the best you can be and the worst thing you can ever do is look back and regret.
“He delivered for West Ham when he was there and they should be incredibly proud of enabling his development.”
Blues legend Lampard took over at the club in the summerCredit: Getty – Contributor
- Graeme Le Saux will be working on Amazon Prime Video’s Premier League fixtures, which includes 20 matches across the first midweek fixture round in December and all matches during the Boxing Day round.
A Prime membership is available for just £7.99 a month or £79 for a year.
For more information, visit: www.amazon.co.uk/premierleague.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
