Former Chelsea manager tells story of trying to sign Arsenal new signing

Chelsea have a new man at the helm. Mauricio Pochettino is taking charge at Stamford Bridge but quite frankly, he’ll inherit a mess. It’s no fault of Frank Lampard’s, though. If the club had listened to him, they’d have the future captain which Arsenal have now.

Frank Lampard wanted to sign Arsenal’s Declan Rice at Chelsea

Speaking to the Diary of a CEO podcast, hosted by Steven Bartlett, Frank Lampard gave some insights into what it was like to be a Chelsea player and manager. The ex England international revealed one story which has stood out the most, and it was the time when he tried to sign Declan Rice.

Chelsea’s long-term interest in Declan Rice is not a revelation. In the transfer windows before Arsenal and Manchester City became interested, it looked certain that the West Ham captain would join Chelsea. But it never happened, despite Frank Lampard’s best efforts.

Lampard thought that Declan Rice would be the next captain of Chelsea and even follow in his own footsteps as one of the best midfielders to ever wear the shirt. If he did sign, last season could’ve been quite a bit different and, who knows? Lampard may have still been the boss. But the move didn’t happen and now he signs for Arsenal.

Well, that is when it becomes official. Which given the speed of Arsenal’s announcements this window, could very well happen before the end of the decade. Let’s hope so, anyway.

Do you think Declan Rice will be a success at Arsenal?