Champions League

FRANK LAMPARD told Chelsea to sign Sergio Aguero before he joined Manchester City.The Argentine striker, 35, came on to the radar of English football fans when he scored twice for Atletico Madrid in a 2-2 draw with Chelsea in the Champions League group stage in 2009.Frank Lampard knew about Sergio Aguero’s talent two years before he came to EnglandCredit: GettyA volley and a free-kick from Aguero ensured the Blues failed to leave Spain with a victory.In 2011, he then finally made the move to England as Man City sealed a £35million transfer.But Lampard, 45, had already seen his talent two years earlier as he later explained to Aguero when the pair linked up as Man City players.Speaking to The Club, Aguero said: “After that game [Atletico vs Chelsea in 2009], maybe two months after, my agent says to me ‘Chelsea is interested’.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I had just three years at Atletico Madrid but I love the Premier League.”But Chelsea never interested after that.”He then went on to add: “I spoke about that with Frank Lampard because Frank Lampard played with Man City.”He said when I played against him he told the staff at Chelsea to sign Aguero.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAguero ended up netting 260 goals in 390 appearances for Man City, making him the club’s all-time record scorer.He won five Premier League titles, one FA Cup and six League Cups during his time at the Etihad.Micah Richards apologises to Frank Lampard on live TV but Chelsea legend has perfect responseHe had a brief stint in Barcelona in 2021, but was then forced to retire with a heart condition.But Aguero is not the only player Lampard spotted before they moved elsewhere.As Chelsea boss, he wanted to sign both Erling Haaland and Declan Rice, before they opted to join Man City and Arsenal.Speaking about Haaland, he said: “People talk a lot about mistakes or things that could have been in football.”Whether he would have come here, I don’t know but I was pushing big and on a few other players at the time. But he was the outstanding one.”Was it close? He’ll only know the answer to that. What stage did it get to? From our point, I was certainly pushing it. I’m not sure what the appetite was everywhere else in the club to do it.”The competition was big to take him because he was an outstanding player and I think there was a buyout clause at the time which was relatively reasonable, maybe, considering the player.”So all those things. I don’t have enough detail to say how close it was, it’s by the by, really.”READ MORE SUN STORIESWhile on Rice, he said: “I wanted to bring in Declan Rice. I was like ‘this kid is going to be the captain of Chelsea for the next 10 years’.”It didn’t happen, anyway, it is hard to dissect people’s work.”How Pochettino can solve Chelsea’s midfield crisis thanks to the works of a 13th century poetBy Andy Dillon
IT IS HIGHLY unlikely that Mauricio Pochettino is familiar with the work of Rumi.
Whether the renowned Islamic poet and mystic had the tactical dilemmas facing Chelsea’s head coach in mind while dreaming up his scholarly works in 13th century Afghanistan, we will never know.
It’s fair to say Rumi was not a regular in The Shed at Stamford Bridge.
Yet one of his most famous quotations strikes right at the heart of Pochettino’s problems trying to transform his team into consistent challengers at the top end of the Premier League.
It was Rumi who wrote so prophetically: “Two birds tied together. They will not be able to fly even though they have four wings.”
He could have scribbled that on the back of his programme from so many of Chelsea’s games this season with regard to Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.
There is a feeling among regular Chelsea watchers that while it is a blow on a personal level for Fernandez to be ruled out for the rest of the season with his injury problem, it may yet turn to Pochettino’s advantage.
For it allows Caicedo to roam that patch in front of his defence with greater freedom. Both players are exceptional individual talents.
Read Andy Dillon’s take on Chelsea’s midfield in full.
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