Returning Leeds United star has a mentor who is very unpopular at Elland Road

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Leeds United have agreed a deal to bring Jack Harrison back to the club for the 2019-20 season. The talented winger spent last season at Elland Road from Manchester City. Despite inconsistent form, the 22-year-old improved toward the end of the season and Marcelo Bielsa clearly wanted him back.

Harrison has plenty of supporters in the game. A year ago, one of those would not have been of too much relevance to Leeds fans. Now, however, after the 2018-19 season, Harrison’s relationship with Frank Lampard takes on new meaning. 

Lampard became the pantomime villain at Elland Road last term. He was embroiled in the Spygate saga and had a less than flattering song dedicated to him by the Leeds faithful. Ultimately, Lampard had the last laugh. The Derby boss led his side to a play-off victory over Leeds and is now set for the Chelsea manager role. 

Harrison and Lampard are former team-mates at MLS side New York City FC. Lampard praised Harrison on his official Facebook account when he completed a move to Manchester City in 2018. 

Harrison himself also spoke very highly of Lampard during an interview with the Men In Blazers back in 2016. 

“Frank Lampard has been a massive help for me. He has been just a great mentor. The conversations I have had with him on and off the field have been so helpful for me. 

“I was going through a bit of a rough time. So I approached him. He gave me some advice about being frustrated if I keep messing up. He said it’s important to have an underlying confidence in yourself. That Mourinho had said this to him when he was at Chelsea.

“He was just like me. Every time I mess up I get easily frustrated at myself. He kind of reminds himself where he is and all the good things.”

It certainly seems as though Lampard has been a huge mentor in Harrison’s career to date. Leeds fans certainly took a disliking to Lampard last season. But if Harrison uses his old mentor’s advice to help Leeds back to the top-flight this season, perhaps some animosity will subside.