Frank Lampard is undoubtedly one of the greatest midfielders of all time, with a legacy at Chelsea that will endure for generations. However, his career could have taken a very different trajectory had Leeds United succeeded in signing him in 2001.
The 46-year-old’s career began at West Ham United, where he was highly regarded as a youngster by the club’s then-manager and his uncle, Harry Redknapp.
Redknapp was a staunch defender of his nephew and played a pivotal role in his success in the years that followed. The now-iconic 1996 interview at a West Ham fans’ forum serves as a poignant reminder of the high regard his uncle had for him, as when a supporter questioned Redknapp’s decision to give Lampard a pathway into the first team, he confidently stated that the young midfielder “will go right to the very top.”
And that he did. After a six-year spell with the Hammers, Lampard felt it was time to move on, disillusioned by the pressure of being labelled Frank Lampard Senior’s son and the treatment his father received, which left the midfielder feeling let down.
Teams from all across England were vying for his signature, but it ultimately came down to two final contenders, with Chelsea and Leeds United emerging as the frontrunners.
The year 2001 was a point in Leeds’ history where they were looking to take that next step. Having signed Rio Ferdinand from West Ham, they turned their attention back to the Boleyn Ground, hoping to secure another talent from the East London club.
According to a report from The Sun, via Sky Sports, it was Lampard Junior who was their target and the Whites were prepared to offer £10 million for his services. However, it wasn’t just Leeds keen with Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea also purring with intent.
Eventually, it was reported that West Ham had rejected two bids exceeding £10 million from unnamed clubs, with then-managing director Paul Aldridge stating that the club would be “sticking” to their valuation. Whether these bids came from Leeds remains unclear, but in early June, the Hammers accepted an £11 million offer from Chelsea, ending the transfer race.
