Chelsea icon Frank Lampard has firmly rejected the idea of comparing Arsenalโs defenders William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhรฃes to Chelseaโs legendary centre-back pairing of John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho. While on television covering Arsenalโs Champions League match, Lampard was asked if Saliba and Gabriel could be likened to the iconic Chelsea duo. His response was clear: โNo! Not yet.โ
Lampard emphasized that while both Arsenal defenders are talented and improving, they havenโt 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. โIf they go and win two, three Premier Leagues and a Champions League, maybe you can compare them,โ Lampard stated.
Though acknowledging Arsenalโs strong recent form, Lampard insisted itโs 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.