Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp believes Frank Lampard deserves a rousing reception when he returns to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, insisting the midfielder is one of the all-time great Chelsea players.
Lampard joined New York City FC on a two-year deal in the summer but has spent the campaign on loan at Manchester City, who visit Chelsea in a crunch top-of-the-table clash on this weekend. The 36-year-old scored a late equaliser when the teams drew 1-1 at the Etihad Stadium in September but Saturday's game will be the first time Lampard has returned to his former club.
"He should get an excellent reception; what's he done wrong?'' Redknapp said. "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?''
Lampard became Chelsea's record goal-scorer with 211 goals during 13 years at the club. He also won three league league titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League in 2012.
"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.
"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.''