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Transfer news: Frank Lampard would welcome Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney at Chelsea and admits Jose Mourinho usually gets his way

The midfielder admits the subject didn't come up while the two were on international duty during the week but says the squad would welcome him should he join the Blues

Jack de Menezes
Saturday 17 August 2013 10:57 BST
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Frank Lampard has said he would welcome Wayne Rooney to Chelsea should he sign for the Blues
Frank Lampard has said he would welcome Wayne Rooney to Chelsea should he sign for the Blues

Frank Lampard has admitted that Jose Mourinho usually gets his man as the Chelsea manager continues his pursuit of Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.

Mourinho has made it clear that his last remaining transfer target this summer is the England international, although both David Moyes and Manchester United have insisted that the 27-year-old is not for sale at any price.

Both Lampard and Rooney were on international duty during the week with England, and featured in the 3-2 victory over Scotland at Wembley, but the Chelsea midfielder admits the transfer speculation never came up between the two, despite reports of the Blues pursuit being impossible to avaod.

"I think Chelsea have made their interest known. That's a decision for them and Wayne to come to," Lampard told Sky News.

Asked if he agreed that Mourinho generally gets his own way when chasing transfer targets, he said: "Yes he does, I think that has shown, but when you're talking about us here we've got a big squad, we've got three or four strikers already.

"We're going into the season strong, but if the manager wants to add another player we all hope he gets his man."

But Lampard would not elaborate on whether he thinks he will be playing alongside his England colleague this season.

"I'm really not sure. I don't know enough about it," he said.

"I didn't speak to Wayne about it when I was with England last week. He was training and he was focused.

"I'm not privy to transfer stuff. That's for clubs to decide. I'm a player. I just keep my mouth shut, and train and play."

Lampard is hoping to maintain his England place despite being in the twilight of his career. At the age of 35, next summer’s World Cup in Brazil is likely to be his final international tournament, but all the talsk at the moment is of the 2022 World Cup, which is due to take place in Qatar.

Fifa have already identified that it is looking impossible to play the tournament in the summer were temperatures exceed 50 degrees Celsius, and the FA and Premier League are against shifting it to the winter, as it will clash with the domestic season across Europe.

Lampard would be in favour of moving the tournament, and says he would love for it to come to England instead.

"It's always going to be different for us but I don't think anybody wants to be playing in 50-degrees heat.” He explained. “I don't know what the answer is ... whether it's possible ... I wish the World Cup would come to England at that stage and be done with it. We'll see, you never know."

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