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Mourinho targets Lampard acquisition

Comment: 0 December 12th, 2011 by: admin

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly planning to hold talks Chelsea and exchange Spanish international Esteban Granero for the Blues star Frank Lampard.

The manager’s decision to present Granero to Chelsea puts a dent on the plans of several Premier League squads like Arsenal and Liverpool, both of which are also seeking to acquire the midfielder.

According to reports, Mourinho plans to use Granero, valued at £6 million, to attempt to get Chelsesa to agree to part with Lampard.

A successful deal between Real Madrid and Chelsea would cap off Mourinho’s persistence after two failed attempts to acquire Lampard in the past.  The first time was when he was handed the reins for Inter Milan in 2008, and in 2010 as manager of Real Madrid.

Both times saw Lampard stick with Chelsea.

However, as of recently Lampard, with his record 177 goals in all competitions, has been consistently demoted to the substitute bench by manager Andre Villas-boas, threatening the veteran of becoming a fading icon.  A successful trade between Real Madrid and Chelsea would perhaps present the player with a much-needed and perhaps perfectly-timed opportunity to save his career.

When asked to comment about his decision to sideline Lampard, Villas-boas was insistent on stating that it was merely a tactical move.

‘He is one of the greatest players in the world,’ AVB said after Chelsea beat Valencia 3-0 to secure a last 16 Champions League spot.  ‘But this choice was three players in midfield because of their technical ability to keep possession and keep it on the ground without a lot of long balls.

‘We know that Frank can also do this but he was not our choice for this game.  He will certainly come back in the future.  He has been fantastic in the way he has taken these tough decisions.’

Further reports indicate that Lampard will again be left out of Chelsea’s match against current league leaders Manchester City set for tonight.

Mourinho’s decision to again pursue Lampard comes mere days after Real Madrid’s home defeat to archrivals Barcelona, who defeated the La Liga leaders 3-1.

Despite public praise for Barcelona’s performance, Mourinho insisted that the Camp Nou residents were merely lucky.

‘Luck plays a part,’ he said.  ‘When it was 1-0, we could easily have gone 2-0 up.

‘Maybe under normal circumstances we would do, but Cristiano [Ronaldo] put [a chance to score] wide.’

The manager also took a jab at Barca star Lionel Messi, who after one yellow card narrowly escaped another that would have sent him off the field.

‘I thought Messi could have been sent off, but until I see it again I won’t say more in case I’m wrong.’

Real Madrid’s loss drops them to second place and rockets Barcelona to the top of the table.

‘To win [at the La Liga] you have to play a very good game and we have done that,’ he said.  ‘But there is still much to do and Madrid will again be the leader if they beat Sevilla.

‘There are no champions in December,’ marked Mourinho.

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