Frank Lampard believes Manchester City are ‘close to becoming the greatest team’ as the club chase a historic treble this season.
Manchester City can win the Premier League title with a positive result against Lampard’s Chelsea this weekend and have also progressed through to the Champions League and FA Cup finals.
City thrashed Real Madrid 4-0 in a stunning semi-final performance in midweek and are closing in on a trio of major trophies this season. Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in all competitions since February and Lampard is anticipating a difficult test at the Etihad this weekend.
The Chelsea manager – who spent a single season at Manchester City during his playing career – called City a ‘fantastic’ team and believes the Citizens can become one of the ‘greatest’ teams ever with a treble success this season.
“They’re clearly a fantastic team and they have been for a good while now,” he said at his pre-match press conference.
“You have to give them huge credit for their consistency. They’re coming very close to becoming the greatest team, especially if they win the Champions League.
“In their form, you wouldn’t want to bet against them on anything. I spent a year there myself and I know it’s a really strong, smooth machine, so full respect to them.
“It’s different players here and a different situation. It’s about preparation in our heads and not so much the players.”
Lampard reflected on his interim spell at Chelsea, with the 44-year-old having won just once in eight games since taking charge on a deal until the end of the season.
He insists he has ‘enjoyed’ the experience of returning to west London but admits Chelsea are 11th in the Premier League table ‘for a reason’.
“I have enjoyed it. You want to always get results but I had to be realistic. We are where we are for a reason. I can’t always impact results. There’s a lot of work to do here, but when I walk away I want there to be a feeling in the group, that they all have impressive careers here going forward.”
