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Premier League: Lampard reunion thrills Drogba for Man City v Chelsea clash

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05:  Didier Drogba of Chelsea celebrates with Frank Lampard as he scores their second goal  during the FA Cup with Budweiser Final ma
Image: Drogba and Lampard: Old mates at Chelsea and now rivals

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is relishing meeting up again with Frank Lampard on Sunday, even though the midfielder will be lining up for rivals Manchester City.

Drogba and Lampard, Chelsea's record goalscorer following 13 seasons at Stamford Bridge, were key components of the team which delivered the Blues' first championship in 50 years in 2005 and helped cement the foundations for their recent success.

Lampard moved to New York City FC in the summer before being loaned to Man City, the Major League Soccer side's parent club, where the 36-year-old has struggled to make an immediate impact with just one appearance for City so far - a 45 minute cameo at Arsenal.

With City set to host their London rivals in a match live on Sky Sports 1 on Sunday afternoon, Drogba said: "I can't wait to see him - my partner in crime.

"It is a pity that I came back and he's not here any more, but I will be happy to see him. It doesn't matter the team where he is playing, I think he still belongs to us. He is a Chelsea player, for what he did. For me, he is part of the history of the club."

The Ivorian backed Lampard to show the professionalism for which he is renowned if he is selected by City at the Etihad Stadium.

"It's going to be difficult," Drogba added. "But I know Frank - he will do his best if he is playing."

Drogba scored the decisive penalty in the 2012 European Cup win before spending two years away from Chelsea, returning in the summer following spells in China and Turkey.

He is no longer Chelsea's first-choice frontman and spurned a number of opportunities in Wednesday night's Champions League Group G opening draw with Schalke, while Diego Costa, scorer of seven goals in his first four Premier League matches, has grabbed the headlines. 

Drogba believes the Brazil-born Spain forward, signed for £32 million in the summer, is making the desired impact and said: "He is the striker we needed this season.

"When I look at him I can see the desire to win every challenge, and to score goals. He is hungry for goals and that's the best thing for a team like us.

"For him to start this season in England, coming from Spain which is a different league and to recreate the same thing he was doing in Spain is fantastic."

Drogba is a senior figure in a squad shorn of experienced figures like Lampard and Ashley Cole.

"I am here to help and give what I can," Drogba said. "I am here also to show them the spirit, even if I don't have any doubt about their desire to win."

Watch Man City v Chelsea, live on Sky Sports 1 on Sunday from 3.30pm

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