Jack Grealish is thriving under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola in the same way Jose Mourinho turbocharged Frank Lampard’s playing career, according to the Chelsea manager.
Grealish has been outstanding in his second season at Manchester City, who host Chelsea today, and has surpassed Lampard’s record as the English player to create the most chances in a Premier League campaign.
Although there are doubts about the former Villa player’s suitability in the City side following his 2021 move, Grealish has shown why Guardiola is ready to break the British transfer record for the £100m man.
‘I love Jack Grealish, I’m a big fan and always have been,’ said Lampard.
‘You watch players come through, especially when they are young English players with quality and personality, and he has both of those in abundance.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard spoke highly of Man City’s Jack Grealish ahead of their match
City boss Guardiola (left) and Grealish (right) were pictured partying as Man City were crowned Premier League champions on Saturday
‘In the last year or two, there have been a lot of eyes on the price that Manchester City paid for him and big question marks on one level, whether that was right or wrong.
‘But he has stepped up his game in terms of his work ethic off the ball and being part of the team structure they have there. And what he does with the ball is always improving.
‘With his awareness and his ability, he has been a real credit to himself and the team. If you don’t show what needs to be done on the pitch, you won’t be in the team there. Not all players respond well to that situation and Jack responded really well. He is a top-class player.’
Lampard points out 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 still admits the Portuguese manager 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 lived in Chelsea for a few years before Jose came. He definitely affected me in a positive way, more my mentality and confidence. He made me a bit more confident and then he created a very good but simple structure that really suits me and means I can be a box-to-box midfield player. That’s the plus I have there.
‘To Jack, only he and Pep will know that exact story, how it works. It’s a credit to them both, obviously, but for this one it’s full credit to Jack because he is the one who has reacted in such a positive way and now he looks a really complete player.’
Lampard compared his relationship with Jose Mourinho (right), to Grealish’s relationship with Guardiola
The England international has bagged five goals and seven assists in the Premier League this year
Lampard was also full of praise for Guardiola. “I got to know Pep a little bit, and I watched him work for a few days after I played, and when he played against his teams, it was clear that he had an incredible football brain and an amazing 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 as a temporary appointment, ends next weekend and Lampard says he has nothing else lined up. ‘I’m always thinking about what’s next for me. I think that’s pretty normal. But at the same time, I’m focused on this.
‘Nothing concrete for me, I can say that. I’ll continue my work here for the next 10 days or so and then probably think about it some more.’
Lampard revealed that Carney Chukwuemeka could be allowed to join the England squad after the final Premier League games next Sunday if they are still involved in the under-20 World Cup, which started this weekend.
Chelsea have refused to release the former Villa midfielder for this week’s England group games against Tunisia, Uruguay and Iraq, but if they make the last 16, Chukwuemeka could fly to Argentina to join them.
Lampard says Carney Chukwuemeka could be allowed to join the 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 is a Chelsea player and we have injuries in that area. It’s a big step for him and he hasn’t gotten many minutes yet, but hopefully there will be a chance for him in these three games.
‘Where we lose players we have to keep him. There is a possibility that he could be involved at the end of the season if England make it to the later stages so it could mean the best of both worlds in an ideal way.
‘But he is our player and we have to do that. I kind of felt for Carney, he wanted to go, but at the same time what happened meant he had to stay.’
