Mourinho Hails Fantastic Frank

Jose Mourinho has stepped up his efforts to charm Frank Lampard to Internazionale, declaring the Chelsea midfielder “the best professional” he has ever encountered…

Jul 11, 2008 8:52:23 AM

Lampard and Mourinho of Chelsea celebrates (AFP)

Teams

The Special One has made Lampard his top transfer target during his first summer in charge at San Siro, but the Blues are unwilling to sell to their former boss.

The Nerazzurri have reportedly raised their bid to ₤9million, with club president Massimo Moratti supposedly negotiating proceedings himself.

Such measures show how desperate the Italian champions are to reunite Lampard with his former mentor, as the pair were famously close during Mourinho’s reign at Stamford Bridge.

And, speaking on Ford’s FeelFootball.com debate show, the ex-Porto boss reiterated his immense admiration for the England international.

“Frank Lampard is a different kind of person,” he said. “He is the best professional I have ever worked with.

“He’s the player that trains better, has more concentration and commitment. He is never happy about his performance, always wants to improve, always wants to learn.

“If he makes a mistake in a game, the next day in training he stays one more hour to practise that situation.”

Mike Maguire