Rio Ferdinand has opened up on how his relationship with Frank Lampard changed as the pair became solely focused on winning trophies with their respective clubs.
The duo rose through the academy ranks at West Ham United together in the 1990s before making their big moves in the early 2000s. Ferdinand left for Leeds in 2000 before joining Manchester United in a record-breaking deal two years later, while Lampard left the Hammers in 2001, signing for Chelsea where he would spend the next 13 years.
Throughout that time United and Chelsea were often battling for the Premier League title, as well as both domestic and European trophies, as old friendships were put aside and winning became the sole focus.
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"It does [impact your friendships]," Ferdinand told BT Sport when asked about competing with friends. "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. Even with Joel [Joleon Lescott], we have become close now we have retired because we are not fighting over anything."
Ferdinand would come out of playing the better off, winning six Premier League titles to Lampard's three with Chelsea, while both won the Champions League in 2008 and 2012 respectively. Joe Cole also came through West Ham's academy at the same time before joining Lampard at Stamford Bridge in 2003.
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