Michael Essien: Facing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge will be difficult for Frank Lampard

File photo of Essien and Lampard playing together for Chelsea

Manchester City are set to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next Sunday which will see Frank Lampard lining up against his former club Chelsea. Lampard scored a late equalizer against Chelsea at the Etihad in September and even came close to winning the game for his new club.

But playing at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea will be one of the biggest challenges for the veteran midfielder. His former Chelsea midfield partner Michael Essien thinks that it would be a strange situation for Lampard.

“It will be difficult — I don’t know how he’s going to do it. It will be a very strange situation. I cannot see myself doing that against Chelsea,” he said.

“That would be a bit different. But with a different team in England, going back to play your old club when you’ve been there for so long... wow! It’s going to be difficult. But, at the end of the day it’s another game and he’s professional.”

“Chelsea fans will give him a warm welcome”

But Essien believes that Chelsea fans will not forget that Lampard gave his all for the club and expects that his former teammate will be greeted warmly by the Chelsea fans.

“Well, you know how fans are but I believe the Chelsea fans are always going to give him their warmth and respect everything that he did for the club. I’m sure that they will give him a welcome.”

“In England, you can never say the title is decided in January but if they win the game, it will give them a massive advantage. It’s a big week with the Liverpool semi-final as well but Jose Mourinho loves dealing with these kind of games and will always get the best out of his players.”

Essien now plays for AC Milan in the Serie A, but spent nine years at Chelsea, winning two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, one League Cup, one Community Shield and the UEFA Champions League.