Chelsea icon Frank Lampard has firmly rejected the idea of comparing Arsenal’s defenders William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães to Chelsea’s legendary centre-back pairing of John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho. While on television covering Arsenal’s Champions League match, Lampard was asked if Saliba and Gabriel could be likened to the iconic Chelsea duo. His response was clear: “No! Not yet.”
Lampard emphasized that while both Arsenal defenders are talented and improving, they haven’t yet matched the achievements of Terry and Carvalho, who won multiple Premier League titles and a Champions League with Chelsea. He pointed out that sustained success and trophies are what set legends apart. “If they go and win two, three Premier Leagues and a Champions League, maybe you can compare them,” Lampard stated.
Though acknowledging Arsenal’s strong recent form, Lampard insisted it’s too early to make such comparisons. As he sees it, greatness is earned over time, and for now, Saliba and Gabriel still have a long way to go before being mentioned alongside Terry and Carvalho.
Frank Lampard has dismissed comparisons between Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães and Chelsea’s legendary center-back pairing of John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho. While covering Arsenal’s Champions League match on television, Lampard stated, “No! Not yet,” emphasizing that Saliba and Gabriel, despite their talent and improvement, have not yet achieved the same level of success as Terry and Carvalho, who won multiple Premier League titles and a Champions League with Chelsea.
Lampard pointed out that sustained success and trophies are essential for establishing greatness, noting that if Saliba and Gabriel manage to secure multiple Premier League titles and a Champions League, then comparisons might be warranted. He acknowledged Arsenal’s strong recent form but reiterated that it is premature to draw such parallels, as true greatness is a long-term accomplishment.
