Lampard set to miss title showdown
The Stamford Bridge club have offered Lampard, 29, their full support as he comes to terms with the loss.
The England international missed the recent Premier League games against Wigan and Everton after his 58-year-old mother Pat had been admitted to hospital with pneumonia. He resumed training earlier this week ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League semi-final first leg at Liverpool after his mother had showed signs of improvement, only for her condition to deteriorate rapidly.
A statement from Lampard’s agent, Steve Kutner, read: “Frank would like to acknowledge and say thank you for the compassion shown to him by the manager Avram Grant and all the staff at Chelsea Football Club during what has been a terribly traumatic period for him and his family.
“Frank and his family would also like to thank all the people who have been inundating them with wishes of support.”
Lampard is expected to receive further compassionate leave to be with his family.
Pat Lampard was wife to Frank senior, the former West Ham and England defender, while her sister married Harry Redknapp, the Portsmouth manager, who is the father of ex-Liverpool and England midfielder Jamie Redknapp.
It is also uncertain whether Lampard will feature in Wednesday night’s Champions League semi-final second leg, with the tie delicately poised at 1-1.
In Lampard’s absence, Germany captain Michael Ballack looks set to have an important role to play in midfield. The 31-year-old feels he is in good shape for the final push, having been forced to sit out the early part of the campaign because of an ankle problem.
“It’s always important to be in good shape and at your best at the end of the season, when it’s all about the championships,” said Ballack.
“I feel fit and I’m highly motivated.”
Ballack joined Chelsea on a reported £130,000-a-week deal following a free transfer from Bayern Munich after the 2006 World Cup.
The veteran German maintains he has no intentions of moving on again.
“That isn’t part of the plan, but it wouldn’t bother me either, because I have the most important transfers behind me,” he said.
“The decisions a footballer makes at 18 or 23 are the important ones, the ones that count.
“I can’t make any especially big mistakes anymore.”
Ballack feels comfortable at Chelsea.
“It’s exactly what I wanted,” he said. “You only develop if you have good players next to you and when every game is a challenge.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
