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June 2001 News

Follow the news of the offspring of the class of 70-71 !

See Sons and Daughters

20 June

Lampard Moves !

Frank Lampard Junior - Frank Lampard's son - has moved to Chelsea in a big money Summertime move. This continues West Ham United's break from the Harry Redknapp dynasty. Frank Junior is Harry's nephew afterall. The move will be a good one for Frank's chances of maintaining an England place. This is as long as he can keep a first team place in a side that likes to play with a very large squad.

CFC - News 14-6-01, which is generating the picture above reports the story this way :-

Chelsea have completed the signing of Frank Lampard from West Ham for £11 million on a 5 year contract. Managing Director Colin Hutchinson confirmed an agreement had been reached with West Ham over the fee on Monday and following discussions between Claudio Ranieri, Hutchinson and Lampard the 22yr old midfielder has signed up for the Chelsea cause next season.

Lampard is being bought to bolster what many felt was Chelsea’s main weakness last season, ie/ midfield. Lampard is an all rounder in midfield terms, can tackle, pass, get back to defend and get forward to score goals. He has been one of the most highly rated young players in the country and was a hugely successful captain of the England Under 21 side under Peter Taylor.

Lampard was born in Romford in 1978 and at 6ft tall has the build to be a dominant central midfield figure. He also of course won’t have any of the settling in time needed for either life in England and London or to adjust to the Premiership style of play that some overseas stars have found they need.

As is well known English players seem to automatically cost more than overseas equivalents and Lampard knows he will be under pressure to justify the £11 million fee. It’s Chelsea second highest fee after Hasselbaink’s £15 million last summer but what Chelsea are buying is not just a proven Premiership midfielder but one with huge potential to become something special. Ranieri has a reputation as a coach who can bring the best out of young players and there is an argument that Lampard could really blossom and fulfil his potential away from the ‘home’ that was West Ham where his Dad was coach, and surprisingly still only 22 he’s still certainly young enough.

On the fringes of the full national squad , Lampard played in Sven Goran Eriksson’s first game against Spain and with his impressive U21 track record will be looking that this move to Chelsea will not only develop him as a player to Chelsea’s benefit but also make him an International regular.

Lampard has taken over the number 8 shirt for next season and while this may be the most expensive signing we’ll make this summer we’ll have to wait and see what other movements happen before pre-season training resumes in early July.

Lampard said of his move "I spoke to the manager yesterday and was very impressed with what I heard and what he thought my role in it would be. They basically sold the club to me and I had no doubts about coming to Chelsea."

"I had other offers but I wanted to come here and I think I can improve as a player and hope to become more involved with England and win lots of medals with Chelsea."

11 June

Owen Update

Season Ends in Victory v Greece

Michael Owen - Terry Owen's (Bradford City) son - finally saw his season come to an end last week in winning style. Michael won his 29th Cap for England in the World Cup qualifier away to Greece. This was his 7th cap this season and means he has been capped in England's last 5 games. Michael put in a solid performance and was on the pitch for the whole match, which England won 2-0.

Michael played 53 games last season for Liverpool and England in all competitions. It is a sign that his maturity has grown in that he didn't so much as pick up a yellow card all season ! He scored 27 goals -

Michael Owen's Goals this Season

Man of the 'Match' - Magazine

Michael must have set a new UK record over May and June, for appearing on the cover of a football weekly for an incredible 4 continuous weeks. Presently 'Match' is the UK's only football weekly magazine now that 'Shoot' has gone monthly - but I would even guess that the record would be true of ANY weekly past or present.

The sequence began with the FA Cup May 12, 2001 edition. Here he shared the honours with Ray Parlour as the two of them offered previews to the Final in the magazine. Next up the May 19 edition shows Michael holding the FA Cup aloft after winning the match with Liverpool. There followed the May 26 edition, on which he is holding the UEFA Cup trophy aloft after helping Liverpool win that competition also.

Finally, the cover of the June 2 edition has a relaxed posed photo of Michael in England training gear with the headline, 'Michael Owen's Red Hot!' It featured the build up to the England World Cup qualifier against Greece, which ended this year's football season in the UK. This magazine featured another (dull) interview with Michael.

See england fc - and waddle steps up - v Greece
BBC SPORT WORLD CUP 2002 Buoyant England see off Greece

Michael Gets the Boot

The May 12th issue also included a feature in which Michael is promoting Umbro XAI football boots. It seams that Michael has been involved with their development by the medical team at John Moores University in Liverpool. The FA Cup Final could have been the first time the boots were worn in a competative match, though Michael has worn Umbro boots generally for a while. (See UMBRO.COM - 'The Football Authority' for more Michael related stuff).

Mrs Redknapp on TV

I see that Louise - Harry Redknapp's daughter-in-law - has found a guest presenting job on top music review programme 'CD:UK'. The one-hour programme goes out Saturdays on ITV at 11-30 - shortly before the 'On the Ball' slot when it's the football season. The programme was made popular when hosted by pop star / presenters Ant and Dec (aka PJ and Duncan), but I gather they now do an evening programme. See the Official Site CD: UK Home - though I didn't spot any Louise references there.

Mr Redknapp on TV

Meanwhile, Louise's hubby, Jamie Redknapp - Harry Redknapp's son - was seen on the panal of BBC 1's coverage of the England's World Cup qualifier versus Greece. He sat between former Liverpool star, Allan Hansen and Celtic manager, Martin O'Neill. An Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman ...

Jamie looked a bit bewildered as O'Neill and Hansen verbally fisticuffed over the skills of Emile Hesky. The current Liverpool star used to play for O'Neill at Leicester City who suggested something negative about Emile's play, causing Hansen to leap to his defence. Jamie just pointed out that Emile is a teammate.

See more June 2001 news at the following ...

Click to see Soccer headlines at www.bobdunning.net