Frank Lampard: I Regret Not Saying Goodbye Properly to Chelsea Fans

Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has revealed that not having a proper farewell and an opportunity to say goodbye to fans is his biggest regret.

The 36-year-old left Stamford Bridge as a free agent at the end of the last season after spending 13 years at the west London club. The former England international was unsure whether he will continue with the Blues after the final game of the previous campaign.

The midfielder left Jose Mourinho's side and completed his switch to Major League Soccer side New York City FC. The former Chelsea star has now returned to top flight English football on loan from the MLS outfit to Manchester City.

Lampard did not go ahead and thank and say goodbye to Chelsea fans as he felt it would have been a "bit foolish" had he got an extension by a year.

"I didn't want to do the big parade - 'Thanks a lot and goodbye everyone' - because that would have looked a bit foolish if it had gone the other way and I'd stayed," Lampard told The Sun.

"I ended up stuck in the middle. So I just did the usual lap and a wave because we knew Ash [Cole] was leaving, we had a bit of a moment with him."

"There are not a lot of things I regret in my Chelsea career but not being able to say my goodbyes properly to all of the Chelsea fans is certainly one. Thirteen years is a long time," the former England midfielder concluded.

Manuel Pellegrini's side host Chelsea for the Premier League fixture at the Etihad on 21 September. Lampard could be in contention to face the Blues in front of the home fans of his new club.

Meanwhile, Chelsea's latest signing Loic Remy came from the bench for France to score the only goal of the match during the international friendly match against Spain.

The French striker completed his switch to the Bridge from Queens Park Rangers after Mourinho allowed Fernando Torres join AC Milan on a two-year loan deal.