Frank Lampard tried to sign Erling Haaland for Chelsea

Former Chelsea coach Frank Lampard has revealed he previously tried signing superstar Erling Haaland. Lampard apparently made the approach for the striker in 2019, when he was in his first season as Blues boss. Haaland was with RB Salzburg at the time. Ultimately, Borussia Dortmund won the race to sign the star in January of 2020.

“He is an amazing player and the ultimate top level players generally can do what he does in a top level league,” Lampard said on Friday. “I coached against him in a preseason game when he was playing for Salzburg. I tried to sign him for Chelsea and it was not to be.”

Erling Haaland for Chelsea? Lampard faces Haaland instead

Lampard made the confession as his team will face Haaland on Saturday. While still in Blue, Lampard is now managing Everton. The Toffees are struggling this season and just one point above the relegation zone. Haaland and Manchester City, on the other hand, are in a battle with Arsenal for the Premier League title. Lampard spoke about preparing for the world’s best center forward.

“It was clear in our pre-match preparation what this boy was. Fair play to him,” said Lampard. “We are going against him and I respect those at the top of their game. I watched the World Cup final with [Kylian] Mbappe and [Lionel] Messi and Haaland has got himself in that bracket at a very young age.

“[Stopping him] is a task because of his qualities and power. We are all seeing it. There is nothing but respect there. When you go against him you have to try not to give him the space he wants. He can hurt you in a moment.”

World-class striker set to smash Premier League record

Haaland has already scored an incredible 20 goals in just 14 Premier League games so far this season. He’s currently on pace to smash the league’s 38-game record set by Mohamed Salah. The Liverpool star netted 32 goals during the 2017/18 campaign.

Photo credit: IMAGO / Sven Simon