Rio Ferdinand stopped speaking to Chelsea hero Lampard due to trophy ambitions

Rio Ferdinand admitted he and Frank Lampard stopped talking to each other as they were both “focused on winning as many trophies as possible”.

The England duo were both close friends when they came through the ranks at West Ham United. After they both left the Hammers, their paths eventually crossed again with Ferdinand donning the red of Manchester United and Lampard pulling the strings with Chelsea.

They both endured many titanic tussles, particularly when both clubs were going head to head for the Premier League title in the noughties. And Ferdinand admitted their friendship and relationship became strained amidst the competitiveness and rivalry.

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"It does [impact your friendships],” Ferdinand said to BT Sport, when asked if rivalries affect friendships off the pitch. "It is well documented Frank Lampard and I grew up together at West Ham.

"When he went to Chelsea and I went to Manchester United, we didn't speak. It wasn't a conversation or a fallout.

“He was focused on winning as many trophies as possible and I was as well. It happens. Some relationships stay the same."

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Both players went on to lift numerous trophies and enjoy careers still revered today. After Ferdinand hung up his boots, he quickly went into punditry, where he now analyses games for BT Sport.

Lampard had a brief stint as a pundit but eventually went into management. He has since taken over the reins of Derby County, Chelsea, and most recently Everton, who sacked him in January after the Toffees’ 2-0 away defeat to West Ham United.

It is currently unknown what Lampard’s next plan will be after a very difficult year with the Merseysiders.

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