Harry Redknapp says he knew Frank Lampard would develop into a world-class player due to the way he trained as a youngster at West Ham United.
Redknapp was the manager of his nephew during the early days of his career, while Lampard’s father, Frank Snr, was assistant at West Ham. The family ties at the Hammers led to some criticism from fans, who believed that the young midfielder was being promoted due to nepotism, not talent.
But that theory was gradually dispelled as Lampard progressed in the early 1990s. After a loan spell with Swansea City, he made his West Ham first-team debut in January 1996 and, after some difficult moments, including a broken leg the following year, he began to show his talent.
