Rio Ferdinand has revealed he has "become closer" to former Chelsea midfielder and manager Frank Lampard since retiring. The two former England internationals were key cogs to their respective clubs during their playing days as Manchester United and Chelsea frequently battled each other for the major honours.
Perhaps the tipping point of this came in the 2008 Champions League final, when United crushed the Blues' dream in Moscow via an agonising penalty shootout defeat shortly after pipping them to the Premier League title. However, Chelsea did get the upper hand in the 2007 FA Cup final, courtesy of an extra-time goal from Didier Drogba, and in three Premier League seasons between 2004 and 2010.
At its peak, the rivalry was intense, and Ferdinand has now opened up on the personal relationship between himself and the Chelsea icon, and how it has evolved post-retirement. Despite growing up together at West Ham, the defender says he "didn’t speak" to Lampard after the pair took their respective paths.
