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Chelsea Fan View: Why there will never be another Frank
Why Frank Lampard was an Icon like None Other
The retirement of Frank Lampard is a sad one because it sees the iconic Premier League player drift off into the sunset, leaving behind a bevvy of imitators. There will never be another Lampard.
He was as Blue as they come despite having his start on the other side of London at West Ham, and became a club legend, and top scorer in a way that could only have been ordained by the footballing gods.
Known for being the perfect box-to-box midfielder, and drawing comparisons with Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, Lampard had a style his own that was exquisite on either side of the ball. Long-range shooting, passing, tackling, vision – he had it all.
Not only was he fantastic on the ball but mentally he was one of the calmest and cleverest around. A deadly penalty-taker and not shabby at set-pieces, Lampard’s service to his teammates created moments of pure ecstasy and inspired awe. A certain roundhouse cross to an Eidur Gudjohnsen overhead kick comes immediately to mind.
His tale was one that was intertwined with Chelsea’s resurgence in the 2000’s under Abramovich and Jose Mourinho. The team was built around him in the middle, and he sorted out those around him into being the teammates he needed in order for the club to find the success it did.
Playing alongside Michael Ballack, Michael Essien, Joe Cole, Didier Drogba, and John Terry, Lampard was easily the most dangerous opponent of the lot and the one opposing managers knew they had to watch especially closely, as well as covet massively. Lampard redefined the role of midfielder while keeping it a classy and tireless display with respect to the traditions held in England before him.
His story did not end with his leaving Chelsea after being deemed too old and surplus to requirements and put a twist in the tale by joining rivals Manchester City the year that Chelsea won the title. And wouldn’t you know it, it was his substitute appearance that led to the equalizing goal for the Citizens when they played the Blues and he did not celebrate the goal because he knew he had a job to do as a professional but he must’ve been gutted for having done that to the club he spent 14 years at.
He was arguably the best player on England’s squad at times, and certainly one of the best at Chelsea, if not the best for being an all-rounder. More than being a man of Chelsea and England, he was a man of football. Doubts were cast on him after his seemingly resistant delay for his move to MLS side New York City FC, and those in the Big Apple certainly hated him for a while when he finally did arrive. But he made an impact on their team and improved their style of play with his extensive experience. He spent the winter of his career doing good for a burgeoning league and knew that there was more than just money to be gained from the experience.
Lampard was the reason I became a Chelsea fan in the first place. Not Drogba, not Cech, not Joe Cole, although all were legends in their own right. But it was captain Frank Lampard who captured my heart because the passion he felt for Chelsea was tangible and unforgettable.
Frank, we bid you farewell and good luck and we thank you for the memories.
