© EuroFootball.com
London's "Chelsea" and England's national team midfielder Frank Lampard was not indifferent to the criticism of "Man City" midfielder Joey Barton. The latter publicly criticized the game of one of England's national team leaders in the World Cup and claimed he could replace Lampard in the national team midfield.
Barton's criticism was also aimed at Lampard for releasing his autobiography after a disappointing performance in the World Cup in Germany, along with several other players.
"There are many players who are fighting for a spot, but they don't come and talk nonsense. They keep their heads down and try hard. That's what Owen Hargreaves did, who could also talk," said the "Chelsea" midfielder.
Barton also stated that Lampard and his colleague in the England national team midfield, Steven Gerrard, cannot play together because they both constantly need to have the ball.
"I don't think Joey should talk about me and Stevie. Joey mentioned that during a vacation in Dubai, he used to jog at six in the morning and said he wondered if I and Stevie G (Steven Gerrard) did the same. When I read that, I thought: 'I've been doing that since I was eleven. That's the difference,'" said Lampard.
"When we train, we strive till the last minute, and Stevie G does the same, because that's what needs to be done. Maybe Joey Barton only discovered that now, but I've been doing it for a long time. I am a professional and I know I am now speaking about another player, but I understand that one should not discuss too much about other footballers," moralized the "Chelsea" star.
Lampard and England national team candidate Barton may have the chance to meet face to face when the English play a friendly match against the Spanish team on February 2.
