JAKARTA - The Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea match on Sunday, December 22 is more than just three points in the race for the top four of the Premier League. What happened on the side of the field is very interesting to note.
The Spurs will enter the field in fifth place in the standings. Three points behind on a better goal difference means Jose Mourinho's men could make their way into the Champions League zone if they manage to silence the former club they are now in charge of the Blues legends.
It is undeniable that Mourinho has a special place in Chelsea history. The Special One presents three titles in two different adventures at Stamford Bridge.
In the autobiographical book 'Tottally Frank', Lampard reveals Mourinho called him the 'best player in the world' during the 2004 pre-season. A year later Lampard was runner-up to Ronaldinho in the race for the Ballon d'Or. Of course that achievement stems from the great form that helped Chelsea end a 50-year drought for the Premier League title. At that time, Lampard scored 13 goals, including a brace against Bolton which sealed the double title that season.
Lampard never stopped. The confidence instilled by Mourinho never faded, he later became captain when Chelsea beat Bayern Munich in the 2012 Champions League final.
Now a manager, Lampard is trying to give talented youngsters like Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori the same confidence to become superstars.
Like Mourinho, Lampard's approach is more focused on how to deal with and respond to the players, the difference is this Chelsea legend is much more calm.
Lampard hates defeat like Mourinho, the Chelsea tactician also prefers to destroy the opponent's strength through a versatile tactic. Mourinho's influence on Lampard's performance as manager was strong but the legend always insisted on having his own way.
"I try to be myself, that's very important. Imitating other managers is a mistake. You have to find your own method or way. I never hesitate to follow the managers I've worked with in the past, but I don't think I'm just like them. , "explained Lampard as quoted by Goal.
Meanwhile Mourinho continues to strengthen ties with those he worked with at Chelsea. Lampard will certainly not forget how Mourinho went for Inter but kept in touch with him regularly after his mother, Patricia, passed away in 2008.
Mourinho also specifically contacted Lampard to congratulate his daughter on the birth of his daughter shortly after Derby beat Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, their first bout as manager.
But the truth is, their relationship doesn't always run smoothly. In 2004, Mourinho told Lampard that his career at Stamford Bridge was over. Chelsea refused to add to his contract for the next year.
When Lampard felt his career was not over, he then moved closer to New York City FC, which loaned him to Manchester City. What happened then, the midfielder broke into the Chelsea goal.
The situation was like revenge, especially considering Mourinho's comments when Lampard joined the Etihad: "When he took the decision to join a rival, the love story was over."
Ironically, Mourinho later joined two rivals, namely United and Tottenham, and tarnished his sweet relationship with Chelsea loyalists. Lampard also expressed frustration when Mourinho commented on Chelsea's 4-0 defeat to United at Old Trafford on the first day of competition this season. As a Sky Sports pandit, Mourinho called the Blues 'too soft' and flicked Mount's performance.
"He doesn't like Mason Mount games? Is that what he said? Really? Wow!" said Lampard.
Lampard's attitude shows other similarities with Mourinho, namely his tenacity to protect players and his sense of humor. Lampard joked that he was happy when Mourinho left Sky Sports for the Spurs job, after first team assistant coach Jody Morris gave a laugh emoji on Twitter about Mourinho's assessment as a pandit.
Next before our eyes is a test of the relationship between Lampard and Mournho which will be played out in north London in front of television cameras and 62,000 fans in the stadium.
Lampard and Mourinho are competitors trying to balance past awe with the ambition of winning in one of the hottest derbies in English football. The match between the two on the side of the field suddenly became a mandatory spectacle this weekend.
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