Super Frank Lampard: A tribute

There are certain footballers in the world whose names have become synonymous with the clubs they play for. Some for their longevity in the game, some for their loyalty and some for the greatness they display while on the football pitch. These players are the ones, who are loved, adored and worshipped by the fans.

A few good examples of such players would be: Francesco Totti at AS Roma, Steven Gerrard at Liverpool, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes at Manchester United, Xavi and Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi at Barcelona, and Frank Lampard at Chelsea.

Frank James Lampard is a heavily underrated player, in my opinion, as compared to some of the other names mentioned above. For a midfielder who has played most of his club football at Chelsea and is on the verge of breaking the club’s all-time scoring record, I really feel that Frank Lampard hasn’t been given his fair share of credit.

Lampard truly is a complete footballer, a midfield maestro, and a veteran in his position. Lampard has always been known for his vision, passing ability, skill on the ball, set-piece taking skills and, of course, his remarkable eye for goal. All these qualities are are pivotal if a player plays in the centre of midfield, and Lampard possesses these qualities in abundance.

And Lampard’s eye for goal is truly the icing on the cake. At times, Lampard’s goal-scoring heroics makes people forget the fact that he is a central midfielder! Lampard’s ability to thread a ball through the eye of a needle is still one of the best in the world, even today. Even at the age of 34, Frank’s vision and creative passing ability are second to none.

Jose Mourinho had once said that that Lampard was the most professional player he had ever seen. Every ounce of this professionalism was on display in Chelsea’s second leg semi-final against Liverpool in the 2007-2008 Champions League, when Lampard stepped up and put away a penalty with precision only days after the passing away of his biggest fan and supporter – his mother. The tears that flowed from his eyes after scoring could not have been better justified. Frank also went on to score in the final of the Champions League that year before eventually losing out to Manchester United. And almost fittingly, he was named UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year for that season.

Lampard is a big match player, if there ever was one! There have been numerous occasions in the past when he has single-handedly carried Chelsea on his shoulders. The above mentioned Champions League encounters are a few good examples.

Over the past few months, there has been a certain degree of discontent and discomfort among Chelsea fans because the Chelsea legend hasn’t been offered a new contract, with his current deal set to run out in the summer. And if his performance against Swansea last week is anything to go by, ‘Lamps’ still has some football left in him.

It’s Frank’s hard work, love and dedication over the years that has made him a fan favourite among the Stamford Bridge faithful. There have been chants of ” sign him up” every time he has touched the ball of late. But at the end of the day, his fate lies in the hands of Roman Abramovich. I really hope he is given a new deal at Chelsea.

But if this is the end of the road for Frank, then it has been an absolute delight to watch one of the greatest midfielders of the modern day.