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Harry Redknapp reckons Frank Lampard will receive a friendly welcome at Chelsea

Manchester City's Frank Lampard celebrates his team's victory at Southampton
Image: Manchester City's Frank Lampard returns to Chelsea on Saturday

Queens Park Rangers boss Harry Redknapp believes Frank Lampard will be given a friendly welcome when he returns to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Redknapp tried to lure Lampard to Rangers last summer when his contract expired at Chelsea.

But the 36-year-old agreed to join New York City on a two-year deal before delaying his arrival in the MLS when he signed for Manchester City until the end of the season.

During 13 years at Chelsea, Lampard became the club’s record goalscorer with 211 goals, and he won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League in 2012.

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Lampard scored a late equaliser when City drew 1-1 with Chelsea at home in September, but this weekend will see the player return to his former club for the first time since his contract expired.

Redknapp said: "He should get an excellent reception - what's he done wrong?

"He's played for Chelsea for god knows how many years, scored however many goals and won every cup there is to win. Surely he should get a good reception shouldn't he?"

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"He has to be one of the all-time great Chelsea players. They've had some fantastic players over the years and he's one of the all-time greats.

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It'll be an emotional day for Frank Lampard when he returns to Chelsea

"Chelsea didn't want to keep him. He signed to go to America and I think he was looking forward to playing in New York for two years.

"He's ended up at Man City and if he hadn't done so well, he'd be in New York again by now."

Redknapp had the player as a youngster at West Ham, and he has not been surprised at the success Lampard has achieved.

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"He's got fantastic drive and determination, way above anyone else I've ever come across in football," Redknapp said.

"When he was 15, I'd be sitting in my office at 4pm, it would be dark and raining and I'd see someone 200 yards away.

"I thought someone had climbed over the fence but it was him doing shuttles, dribbling the ball in and out of cones, running with the ball, shooting.

"He'd do that every single day, not one day a week, every day. He just wanted to do it. He's got that drive and that's why any manager he's ever played for (has liked him) - you can't get him off the training ground."

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