Frank Lampard is one of the greatest players in Chelsea Football Club’s history, having enjoyed a remarkable career at the London club.
Frank’s Beginnings
As one of the most prolific footballers in the Premier League, learning how Frank Lampard worked his way up is an important part of understanding his journey. Frank Lampard’s journey to becoming a Chelsea legend began at a young age. He was born into a footballing family, with his father Frank Lampard Sr. being a former West Ham United player. Lampard grew up idolizing his father and dreamed of following in his footsteps.
Lampard joined West Ham’s youth academy at the age of 14 and quickly made a name for himself as a talented midfielder. He made his professional debut for West Ham in 1995 and soon became a regular in the team.
In 2001, after six years at West Ham, Lampard made the move to Chelsea for a fee of £11 million. At the time, it was a record fee for a British midfielder. Lampard was initially signed as a replacement for the departing Italian midfielder, Gianfranco Zola.
A Trophy-laden Career
Lampard made an instant impact at Chelsea, scoring on his debut in a 2-1 win over Newcastle United. He finished his first season at the club with 14 goals in all competitions, including a memorable brace against Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup final.
Over the next few years, Lampard established himself as a key player in the Chelsea team. He formed a formidable midfield partnership with Claude Makelele and Michael Essien, and his goalscoring prowess became a crucial weapon for the club.
In the 2004-05 season, Lampard helped Chelsea win their first league title in 50 years. He scored 13 goals in the league that season and was named the Premier League Player of the Season. He also won the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award.
Lampard continued to be a consistent performer for Chelsea over the next few years, and he played a crucial role in the club’s back-to-back Premier League titles in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons. He scored 20 goals in the league in the 2005-06 season, which remains his best goalscoring season for Chelsea.
In the 2007-08 season, Lampard helped Chelsea win the League Cup, scoring a brace in the final against Tottenham Hotspur. He also helped the club reach the final of the UEFA Champions League, but they were defeated by Manchester United in a penalty shootout.
However, the highlight of Lampard’s Chelsea career came in the 2011-12 season when he helped the club win their first-ever UEFA Champions League title. Lampard scored a crucial penalty in the final against Bayern Munich, which helped Chelsea win the match on penalties.
Lampard’s success at Chelsea was not just limited to his club performances. He was also a key player for the England national team, making 106 appearances and scoring 29 goals. He played in three World Cups and two European Championships and was named England’s Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005.
Lampard Closes One Chapter
Lampard left Chelsea in 2014 after 13 years at the club, during which he scored 211 goals in 648 appearances. He is the club’s all-time leading scorer and also holds the record for most goals scored by a midfielder in Premier League history.
After leaving Chelsea, Lampard had spells at Manchester City and New York City FC before retiring from professional football in 2017. He then went on to become a manager at Derby County and Chelsea, where he led the club to a top-four finish in his first season in charge.
Overall, Lampard’s career is a testament to his incredible talent, hard work, and dedication to the game.
