Frank Lampard reveals he tried to sign special Manchester City star for Chelsea

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Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has revealed he tried to sign Erling Haaland for Chelsea while the striker was still with RB Salzburg.

Lampard said: “I’ve got huge respect for him, he’s a player I tried to bring to Chelsea the first time I was here. Obviously that couldn’t happen, but his level at that point was very clear as well, we played against him in a pre-season game with Salzburg and he was fantastic.

“So credit to him, I love seeing players at that level, I love seeing players with that personality and level of hunger to play and be the best, which he’s proven himself to be.

“In terms of having to deal with him, you need to have a plan and an idea. Players at that level can make something happen at any moment. I’m sure the players have a good awareness of him. You have to be at your best to try to negate the things he does.

“I think he’s special, I knew he’d adapt straight away, just through his level. I just think with the level of player and his record of scoring in Austria, for his country and in the Bundesliga, which is not an easy league, to come into a really good unit already, that’s a recipe to really help him. The rest is just credit to him and the team around him, I have a real respect for the player.”