Frank Lampard: Give him the 2 year contract, Roman

“Lamps is Lamps. When he plays well, he is best in the game, when he plays bad, he is the second or the third best”- Jose Mourinho.

They call him ‘Super Frankie Lampard’ for a reason. He has been at the pinnacle of sporting excellence for more than a decade now. Oddly enough, football critics and pundits keep writing him off repeatedly. But he keeps getting better every time, like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

He is the third highest goalscorer in Chelsea’s history, and the ‘Player of the Decade’ in the Premier League. He is second in the Premier League’s all-time assists table with 91 assists. Frank was the engine which kept the Chelsea juggernaut going till now. He has handled more pressure than anyone, taking some decisive penalties almost every week. Chelsea fans feel reassured every time Lampard steps up to take a penalty. Any season when Frank was injured, Chelsea suffered badly. He embodied the ultimate midfielder, supplying Drogba with some incredible laser guided assists, and getting some goals himself too. The fact that his goal tally has been in double digits since the 2003-04 season, speaks volumes for itself.

But more than the stats, more than the goals, more than the innumerable accolades, he provides something extra for the team. Alongside Terry, he has been a pillar for Chelsea Football Club, providing leadership at every level. He is a role model for the current crop of players all round the world, providing inspiration to millions of budding footballers.

Lampard is revered by Chelsea fans all round the world. One of his most iconic moment as a Chelsea player came in the 2008 Champions League semi finals. Days after his mother had passed away, he took an emotional penalty against Liverpool to send Chelsea to the finals. Clutching to his armband, he started crying as his teammates mobbed him. It was very fitting, and Frank won the hearts of many football romantics that night.

“What a player. What a man. What an absolute diamond of a footballer. The critics, the haters, they cannot touch Frank Lampard now. Not after last night. Not after that penalty. He won, they lost. He stood tall, they sulked in the background.”- Martin Samuel writing for The Times

11 years at a club is a long time. He is an immortal of the club, bound to go down in history books as a legend. His role at the club might have reduced in the new season, but he still displays the same attitude and knack for scoring goals. His winner against Norwich was a perfect example of a typical Lampard goal. Timing his run into the penalty area perfectly and then providing a clinical finish.

His contract, currently under negotiation, expires in 2013. Apparently, Roman Abramovich is sticking to his policy of not offering more than a year extension to any player above 30. But, looking at the impact of Lampard all these years and his untiring service to the club, he deserves to get a 2 year extension. The current Chelsea squad is fairly young and inexperienced. Having the formidable presence of Lampard in the team will go a long way in providing some calmness in those nervy moments. He can be the Ryan Giggs of Chelsea, only better.

In football, you don’t let some players go, no matter what. Frank Lampard is one of those players. He is an icon, a midfield maestro. He represents Chelsea. Chelsea without Frank Lampard will be quite unimaginable. He should be allowed to retire at Stamford Bridge as a true pensioner, in front of his blue army.