Frank Lampard is better known for many years with Chelsea rather than his 32-game spell with Manchester City at the end of his career.
Lampard made a quick pit-stop at the Etihad Stadium on his way to sign for New York City FC and bagged eight goals in 38 appearances in all competitions.
It proved somewhat unpopular in the eyes of Chelsea supporters that he chose to spend time with another Premier League club before heading to the MLS.
He was one of the greatest midfielders of his generation at Stamford Bridge and scored 211 times in 648 appearances for the Blues.
These days, Lampard is trying to forge a managerial career and is currently in a play-off battle with Coventry City as they look to escape the Championship.
He took Derby to the Play-Off Final in his maiden managerial job and has since taken charge of Chelsea on two occasions and Everton.
MORE MAN CITY STORIES
Lampard knows everything there is to know about playing in central midfield but he does feel as though the game has changed since he was strutting his stuff on the pitch as a player.
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Frank Lampard says Manchester City have a player who is like Jude Bellingham
City tried to sign Bellingham in the past. He was a target when he was at Dortmund but it would appear his heart was set on a switch to Real Madrid.
It’s uncertain whether the England star will ever play in the Premier League and if he does, City will surely be in the mix to land him.
Lampard believes the style of play that he showed back in the day – arriving in the box to score goals from midfield – is a dying art.
He does believe that Bellingham does it well and speaking with David Prutton on the EFL Unfiltered podcast, he thinks City have a player who bucks the trend too.
Lampard said: I watch them now, these great goalscoring midfielders. Gundogan a few years ago when he was scoring regularly for City. He was one. There aren’t many who remind me of myself.
“Jude Bellingham has come through now and I just see these moments where they understand the timing of a run into the box of when to arrive.”
How Ilkay Gundogan compares to Frank Lampard
It’s fascinating that Lampard thinks Gundogan has similar qualities as what he had because frankly, his best season in England is nowhere near the level that Lampard showed.
The German enjoyed his best season in England during the 2020/21 campaign when he scored 17 goals and registered four assists in all competitions.
For context, Lampard’s best season came playing in pretty much the same position during the 2009/10 campaign when he scored a brilliant 27 goals and claimed 18 assists for Chelsea.
Gundogan scored five goals in 16 games during his first season in England and perhaps that saw him showcase form that was similar to the year Lampard spent at City.
Lampard is right though. Goalscoring midfielders are a dying breed and with Gundogan set to leave City again in the summer, Pep Guardiola will be looking at more goals from the middle of the pitch from next season.