Cape Town - Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta has hailed
team-mate Frank Lampard for his youthful performances in the heart of
the Sky Blues' midfield, reports Football411.
Lampard, 36, helped City to a 3-2 win against Bayern Munich last week, and scored against Southampton on Sunday during a substitute appearance to cap a 3-0 victory.
Zabaleta told ESPN that the former England internationals' secret could be his dedication to training.
"For me what makes Frank Lampard special is how professional he is in training: this is what I appreciate from him," Zabaleta said.
"You see him at training: he is the first to arrive on the training ground and the last to go home.
"He won everything with Chelsea, he's a legend in football and he's still playing like he's 18 years old."
Lampard is currently on loan at City from the team’s sister club, New York City FC, who he joined from Chelsea after last season.
He is set to return to the United States at the start of 2015, but his vintage performances for a struggling City side has caused speculation about whether the loan deal will be extended.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini has, however, refused to confirm nor deny any plans regarding Lampard’s immediate future at the Etihad Stadium.
Lampard, 36, helped City to a 3-2 win against Bayern Munich last week, and scored against Southampton on Sunday during a substitute appearance to cap a 3-0 victory.
Zabaleta told ESPN that the former England internationals' secret could be his dedication to training.
"For me what makes Frank Lampard special is how professional he is in training: this is what I appreciate from him," Zabaleta said.
"You see him at training: he is the first to arrive on the training ground and the last to go home.
"He won everything with Chelsea, he's a legend in football and he's still playing like he's 18 years old."
Lampard is currently on loan at City from the team’s sister club, New York City FC, who he joined from Chelsea after last season.
He is set to return to the United States at the start of 2015, but his vintage performances for a struggling City side has caused speculation about whether the loan deal will be extended.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini has, however, refused to confirm nor deny any plans regarding Lampard’s immediate future at the Etihad Stadium.