Frank Lampard could add to Chelsea grief when Touré heads to African Cup

Experience is not just a word you make up. It’s really something that helps

John Terry curses his side’s luck as his former team-mate Frank Lampard equalises for City against Chelsea on Sunday (Getty)

Branislav Ivanovic could not stop himself revealing the sneaking suspicion that Chelsea have not heard the last of Frank Lampard, regalvanised in a different shade of blue and scoring important goals this season. “Better ask him how it feels,” the Chelsea defender said, moments after Lampard had popped into the Chelsea dressing room. “We know Lamps can give a lot more goals to City.”

The Serb’s drift from past to present tense pointed to a disbelief that Sunday’s Manchester City game-saver has actually left Stamford Bridge. “Everyone who worked with Frank knows how professional he was and what he gave to our club. You don’t need to use a lot of words to explain what Lamps is to our team,” he added.

The 36-year-old may play a more vital role in the early part of next year than Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho – who refused to discuss him after his late equaliser in the 1-1 draw – may yet have fully appreciated. From 17 January to 8 February, Yaya Touré will be representing Ivory Coast in the African Cup of Nations in Morocco. With City yet to declare precisely when Lampard will leave them to join up with sister club New York City FC, it is quite possible he could help assume Touré’s responsibilities in midfield during a vital period. Lampard could be used in his absence at home to Arsenal on 17 January, at home to Hull City on 7 February and… against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in between those fixtures on 31 January.

All will depend on when the New York City sporting director, Claudio Reyna, and head coach, Jason Kreis, want him in. They have loaned Lampard out to City and it has never been confirmed whether the length of the deal runs to the start of January, for a six-month period to 6 February, or longer. When Thierry Henry was loaned to Arsenal by the New York Red Bulls in 2012, he returned to the United States on 15 February.

The City captain, Vincent Kompany, reflected that Lampard had already potentially made a title-defining intervention, even though the denouement is eight months away. “He’s proven it himself in only a few minutes,” Kompany said. “I mean, ever since I’ve been at this club, seasons and big moments have been decided on small events like this, so I will never underestimate what it could mean to our season.

“[He brings] experience. Experience is not just a word you make up. It’s really something that helps, again like the goal today: keeping your head cool when you’re under pressure. We’re down to 10 men. How many players would’ve scored that goal?” So that moment could be crucial? “Exactly,” Kompany replied.