Frank Lampard Pays Tribute To Avram Grant

Frank Lampard has paid tribute to former boss Avram Grant for kick-starting his career and helping turn him into a Double winner with Chelsea.

Grant was controversially appointed boss at Stamford Bridge in September 2007 and faced the almost impossible job of replacing the Special One, Jose Mourinho.

Lampard admits he was going through a difficult period in his career at the time and thanks Grant for reinventing him for both club and country.

He said: “I’ll be honest. It was a little bit messy when Jose Mourinho left and Avram took over. But he managed to steer us to a Champions League final.

“He’s now managed to reach another final with Portsmouth and, in the circumstances they were in, he managed to create a positive atmosphere around the place.

“I’ve got a lot of time for Avram. He was brilliant with me. He was at Chelsea at a very difficult time for me personally and he was a top man in those times.

“I couldn’t have asked for any more from him. Some people look down on his time at Chelsea because he came from nowhere to take the job.

“But I’ve got nothing but nice things to say about him.”

Lampard knows too from that single season he had working with Grant that the Israeli will be a huge success at his next club West Ham.

He said: “He’s a good manager. He’s not a coach who stands and dictates every training session.

“But as a person he’s a very clever man and he’s good with people. He’s diplomatic and I think in bad moments you need someone who can bring things together.

“He’s the perfect man to speak to people individually and sort things out.

“He did that at Chelsea and, with hindsight, it’s much easier to see the results which came from him doing that.”

Lampard Backs Hot Cole To Fire

Frank Lampard believes Chelsea team-mate Joe Cole could provide England with the star turn they need to triumph at the World Cup.

Cole was named in Fabio Capello's 30-man provisional squad for the tournament in South Africa but it is uncertain whether he will make the final cut.

Seven players have yet to be trimmed by the Italian supremo and Cole's place in the final party could be under threat after a frustrating season at Stamford Bridge.

Despite finding form towards the end of the campaign, the winger has been blighted by injury problems and used mainly as a substitute by Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti.

But fellow midfielder Lampard says his former West Ham colleague deserves a place on merit, and that the player will be fresher going into the tournament after being out of the side.

Lampard said in the Sunday Mirror: "I hope Joe will be in the squad because he is my mate and he is a great player. He is the sort of player who gives a team something different.

"Even though he has not played that many minutes this season, there is an argument to say that makes him fresh and more dangerous.

"Joe has that little bit of magic, that little turn of pace and ability to beat a man that make all the difference.

"Not many people can bring that to a team in top-class international football but he has it, so I hope he makes it because he deserves that."

Lampard also reckons Cole's contribution in helping Chelsea win the league and cup Double will mean he has the momentum behind him to cause England's opponents problems.

He added: "Maybe that will give us a little edge, having Joe so fresh. It can't harm any of the Chelsea players to be going to the World Cup full of so much confidence after winning the Double.

"Even Joe, who has been coming on for 20 minutes or half-an-hour in games, has been looking sharp."

Cole may no longer be playing with Lampard following the World Cup as the 28-year-old is out of contract and could be free to move on in a free transfer.

The likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham are said to be keen on capturing his signature but Lampard hopes Cole remains in London.

"I don't know if he will stay at Chelsea, that is completely up to him, but Chelsea want him to stay," said the 31-year-old. "He has been a great player for us and we hope he will stay."

Chelsea Set To Spark Bidding War For Milner

Chelsea are reportedly set to enter the race for England and Aston Villa ace James Milner.

The versatile midfielder was the subject of a £20million bid from Manchester City earlier in the week, and Roberto Mancini is now believed to be willing to add a player to his offer.

Chelsea bosses have now set their sights on Milner, however, and, mindful of how they lost out on Robinho to City two years ago, now seem poised to spark a summer bidding war for his services.

A Chelsea insider reportedly said: "Losing out to City for Robinho was embarrassing at the time, even if it did turn out to be a lucky escape.

"But we are determined to get our man this time and we are very confident it will happen."

Ribery Snubs Chelsea And Man United To Sign Monster Contract At Bayern Munich

French winger Franck Ribery is set to finally end speculation surrounding a move to the Premier League by signing a massive new contract at Bayern Munich.

Chelsea and Manchester United have both been linked with the controversial star but sources in Germany claim Ribery will sign a mega-deal worth a reported £130,000 a week after tax following Saturday night's Champions League final.

Ribery is expected to confirm his decision to stay at the Allianz Arena for another four years - and become the highest-paid player in Bundesliga history - when Bayern parade their season's silverware in Munich on Sunday.

Chelsea Tipped To Beat Manchester City In The Race For Sergio Aguero

A report in Spanish newspaper Marca claims today that Chelsea will beat Manchester City to the signing of Atletico Madrid striker for around 45 million euros.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has targeted Aguero, but will face competition from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Aguero’s termination clause at Atletico Madrid is 60 million euros plus VAT but the executive committee of the Europa League winners will likely settle for less and will not sell to local rivals Real Madrid.

The Argentine striker is attracted to Chelsea’s participation in the Champions League next season and would boost Carlo Ancelotti’s intention to freshen up the squad.

Manchester City could though trump the Blues with an offer that is closer to Aguero’s release clause.

Chelsea Set To Bid £20m For Liverpool Midfielder Mascherano

Liverpool midfield hard-man Javier Mascherano could be on his way to Chelsea if Carlo Ancelotti has his way.

The Chelsea boss is prepared to bid £20million for the Argentine to strengthen his midfield, The People reported on Sunday.

Contract negotiations between Mascherano and the Anfield outfit have stalled, and although he had reportedly been holding out for a transfer to Barcelona, the La Liga champions’ bid to secure the services of Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas has dented the Argentine’s hopes of playing at the Nou Camp.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is keen to keep Mascherano, but a significant transfer fee will be difficult to turn down.

The midfielder made 47 appearances for Liverpool in the Premier League and European competition last season, scoring one goal and picking up 11 yellow cards. His contract is up in two years.

Chelsea are expected to boost their midfield this summer with the exits of Michael Ballack , Joe Cole and Deco on the cards.

Joe Cole Closing In On Spurs Switch

Tottenham are closing in on England midfield star Joe Cole, who has yet to agree a new contract with Chelsea and will be available on a free transfer.

He has been frustrated by the lack of progress in talks over a new deal and is aware of Tottenham’s interest.

Cole knows a move to White Hart Lane would be hard for Chelsea fans to accept, but has always held Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp in high regard.

It was Redknapp who have Cole his debut as a teenager at West Ham.

Chelsea Eye £26m Tottenham Midfielder Luka Modric

Chelsea are about to launch a £26million bid for Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric.

Connections of the 24-year-old Croatia midfielder have been in London this week for discussions with his club aimed at sounding out his future at White Hart Lane.

But he has emerged as a top target for the newly-crowned Double winners with manager Carlo Ancelotti, backed by director of football Frank Arnesen, acutely aware of the need to bring in younger blood if they are to maintain their place at the top of English football.

Another important factor is Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's determination to win the Champions League, an ambition he is prepared to support by slugging it out with Manchester City in what will be a multi-million pound transfer battle this summer.

Both clubs have made no secret of their desire to sign Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

Modric suffered after being switched to a deep-lying role by managerial flop Juande Ramos after a £16.5million move to Spurs in the summer of 2008 and it was only after the Spaniard's successor Harry Redknapp utilized his passing and vision in a more attacking role that the Croat and Spurs blossomed.

Now the Spurs boss looks likely to get the call he dreads - when Chelsea come knocking for Modric.

John Barnes: Joe Cole Should Be Guaranteed A Spot In The World Cup Squad

John Barnes reckons Joe Cole is guaranteed a spot in Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad.

The Chelsea star has struggled with injuries all season and was thought to be at risk of not even making England’s 30-man training squad.

The Italian has to cut that number by seven by June 1 – and Cole is sweating on making the plane.

But Barnes, who won 79 caps for England, has told Cole that his experience will see him get the nod to play an important role in South Africa.

Barnes, speaking at an event organised by England team sponsors Nationwide Building Society, said: “Joe will be in the 23-man squad. He has struggled with injuries this season and hasn’t had the impact he has had in previous years.

“But he is still a fantastic player and will be in the squad – though he possibly won’t be in the starting XI.

“To have a player of Joe’s quality and experience – and he is a very experienced player – is what England need.”

And Barnes reckons Cole, 28, can reform the left-sided partnership with namesake Ashley Cole that worked so well in Germany four years ago.

“Look at what Joe did in the last World Cup and you will see it was a great success,” explained the former Liverpool and Watford winger.

“That was because Ashley is probably the best attacking left-back in the world, so we don’t necessarily need an out-and-out winger there.

“Joe has played there and it has worked with him coming inside and Ashley going outside him.”

And Barnes has backed Jermain Defoe, 27, to shine in South Africa as he believes the Tottenham striker is the best natural goalscorer England have.

“I love Defoe and I think he is the best natural finisher England have, better even than Wayne Rooney,” said Barnes of a player who has scored just twice in his last 13 games for club and country.

“Rooney is an all-round player, he plays wide, he can drop short, whereas as a No.9 Jermain is the one you know will put the ball in the back of the net.”