Leeds United winger Jack Harrison has a very close relationship with Frank Lampard, who was something of a role model for him when he first turned professional.

Harrison began his career at MLS side New York City, where Lampard was one of his teammates, alongside some other big names, such as David Villa and Andrea Pirlo.

Harrison joined Leeds this summer for his second consecutive season on loan with the Championship club, where Lampard is not a particularly popular figure due to his position as Derby County manager last season.

However, according to the Athletic, Harrison and former Rams boss were “particularly close” during their time at the MLS club.

Patrick Vieira told the Athletic: “He was very close to Frank. Frank was a really positive model for him.”

In the report, Harrison himself added: “He’s (Lampard) a huge name, a huge player.

“I’d be on the bike next to him and I didn’t know what to say. It was really awkward. I’m looking at his thighs and thinking ‘they’re much bigger than mine!’ But eventually over time you build these relationships.”

Lampard left Derby at the end of the season to join Chelsea and the Rams have struggled under their new manager Phillip Cocu, currently sitting in 18th place.

Leeds, on the other hand, are top of the Championship.

The Verdict

This is unlikely to go down well with Leeds fans, who may hate the fact that the ex-England and Chelsea midfielder is closely linked to one of their players.

Lampard was the Derby manager last season and is something of a hated figure for many fans after the Spygate saga and Leeds play-off loss to the fans–not to mention the subsequent celebrations.

Harrison is not the most popular player in the Leeds squad at the moment and has drawn some criticism from fans already, this latest revelation is unlikely to make them like him more.