How will Lampard stop Aguero in Chelsea vs Man City clash?

When Frank Lampard takes to the visiting dugout at the Etihad on Saturday, it has to be remembered that he has sat in the opposite one.

It is hard to picture Lampard out of a Chelsea kit when it comes to his playing career but he spent a season tangled up in a lighter shade of blue just after his time at Stamford Bridge came to an end.

His swansong at Manchester City was not something he was particularly desperate to have. Yet Lampard managed to make a positive impression after circumstances meant he played out his Premier League career in the north west.

His most famous — or infamous, depending on your viewpoint — moment there saw him emerge from the home bench as a substitute.

Before that though, the circumstances of his move. The reality is he wanted to be in west London: 'I would have obviously stayed if Chelsea had offered me another year. There was no reason for me to leave'.

They did not offer him another season, though, and called time on his spell at Stamford Bridge after 13 years.

Lampard would turn down a move to Queens Park Rangers and instead plump for a switch to New York City in MLS — at least, that was the plan.

Season tickets were sold on the basis that Lampard would star alongside David Villa for the new franchise. He would not be able to make his bow for New York until January 1, though, when his contract began.

Lampard thought about returning to Chelsea to train and when he realised Villa had been working hard to prepare for a loan of his own to Melbourne City, the then-36-year-old wanted to move somewhere to keep fit.

Manchester City, New York's sister club, entered the frame.

It was a bizarre transfer, with Lampard moving just two weeks after he was announced to have joined New York City on a two-year deal. His City deal, ostensibly a six-month loan, would end up lasting the entire season.

Instead of never playing for another Premier League side again after leaving Chelsea, he found himself eyeing the prospect of playing against them just months after his departure.

First he had to prove his ongoing value at the top level. Lampard impressed everyone around City. Sportsmail understands that members of the squad there thought he would be distant.

Instead, he integrated himself and became a useful voice in the dressing room.

And even at his relatively advanced age, Lampard had an impact on the training ground. He showed the same desire as ever, becoming easily the most competitive player in small-sided games and training sessions.

He impressed under Manuel Pellegrini and helped keep City in the title race the year after they pipped Liverpool to the honour.

The moment he is most remembered for, though, was his goal against Chelsea.

It still seems strange now. He was on the bench when Pellegrini sent him on, 'sure' that he would score.

Yaya Toure pinged the ball out wide for James Milner. Milner knocked the ball into the middle and there was Lampard, doing what he does best and making a late run before knocking the ball past Thibaut Courtois.

Lampard, inevitably, refused to celebrate. If anything, he looked upset that he had scored.

After the game, he said: 'I am a little lost for words. I didn't expect to come on and score like that. I came on and the Chelsea fans were singing, and that's emotional.

'Then I am playing for this club, who have taken me in brilliantly as well, so I am really stuck in the middle here.'

Not that it won him any credit with his old boss Jose Mourinho.

'Frank Lampard is a Man City player,' he said after the game. 'When he decided to go to a direct competitor then love stories are over.'

There was little interaction with the Chelsea players afterwards.

'We didn't talk to each other because we respected him in that moment,' Ivanovic said to the Athletic.

'We knew how difficult it was for him and he also respected us when he scored. We know each other's feelings without talking.'

It was his first goal for City and he would go on to score five more throughout the season. His loan spell was extended after the impressive initial six-month period.

Even so, Lampard and City would not do much that season. They finished seven points behind Chelsea in the title race. He did make his 600th Premier League appearance.

And, if you want a symbol of how well liked he was there, they gave him the armband for his last appearance at the Etihad on the final day of the season.

Finally, Lampard went to New York City and he was allowed to ride into the Premier League sunset. He eventually retired and found his way back to Chelsea as their manager.

This weekend, he returns to face a side as manager that still have some of the players that were there with him.

Sergio Aguero, in particular, must worry him. Lampard spoke in 2017 about where he ranks relative to the other strikers he has featured alongside.

He said: 'I've been fortunate enough to play with great players.

'Didier Drogba I always rave about because he was an all round striker, gave you everything, but in terms of an out-and-out goalscorer and a finisher, Aguero is the best I played with.

'He can be quiet for a lot of the game and then he'll score. He scores winning goals, he can score any kind of goal. Around the box he is lethal, he's sharp. I like him.

'He's a very confident lad. He has a way about him in his demeanour and how he trains every day, but he does produce and it's great to see him producing.'

David Silva, another, was his choice of favourite Premier League player outside of Chelsea when he was asked earlier this season: 'I suppose I am linked to it so it makes me happy to say it, but David Silva.

'I know this is his final season playing for Manchester City so this is as good a time to talk about him.

'The year I had there [at Man City], to train with him every day, to see his humility as a player and his quality and everything he brings, was something special.

'I am delighted that he has had the success and all the recognition because he is incredible.'

Lampard is now tasked with coming up with a plan to stop those same players he was full of praise for.

City will be wounded after their loss to Liverpool and an international break to stew over it. And Pep Guardiola will want to stop Chelsea's six-game winning streak on Saturday evening.

Still, Lampard has shown a capacity to pull off the unexpected since stepping into the dugout. If he does it again, at least this time he will be allowed to celebrate