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LONDON. — Chelsea described Frank Lampard as “one of the very greatest players to have represented the club” after England’s 2014 World Cup soccer vice-captain brought the curtain down on an outstanding 13-year Stamford Bridge career.
The midfielder, who is in Miami with England’s World Cup squad, has been linked with a move to new MLS franchise New York City FC and reportedly held exploratory talks with them over the weekend.
Cesc Fabregas is available from Barcelona for £30million and Arsenal do not want to take up their first option for him. That leaves Chelsea as favourites to buy the Spaniard in what would be a changing of the guard.
Atletico Madrid’s Koke emerged as one of Chelsea’s top midfield targets this summer but he is the man wanted by Barcelona to replace Fabregas.
Paulinho, of Tottenham, and Juventus’ Paul Pogba are others who have been linked with moves to Stamford Bridge but the appeal of Fabregas is his instant availability. A deal could even be completed before the World Cup.
Lampard spent 13 seasons at Chelsea and made 648 appearances, becoming the club’s leading goalscorer with 211 goals.
During his time at Stamford Bridge, he won the Premier League on three occasions to go with four FA Cups, two League Cups, a Champions League title and one Europa League.
“Any Chelsea supporter who has had the good fortune to watch ‘Super Frank’ Lampard in full flow will know we have never seen his like in our midfield before and we will be very blessed to again see his equal,” the club said in a statement on Monday.
The midfielder, who turns 36 on June 20, announced earlier in the day that he was leaving the 2012 European champions.
“Frank Lampard’s momentous career as a Chelsea player will end when his contract expires at the end of this month,” the club said.
“Lampard has not yet announced his destination but all at Chelsea wish him every success for the future. He leaves with our enormous gratitude for the major part he played over 13 years packed with unforgettable victories, trophies lifted and records set.
“He blazed a trail during his long Chelsea career. Only Ron Harris and Peter Bonetti played more than his 648 games and Lampard famously leads our all-time scoring chart,” the club added.
“His goal touch allied with all-round quality and fantastic stamina helped change the way football views the modern central midfield player.”
Chelsea said the former West Ham United player’s consistency set him apart from the rest.
“Lampard’s brilliance was not just limited to the deluge of goals he netted over his years at Stamford Bridge — 211 in total at an average of over 16 a season — nor was it confined to the significance of so many of those strikes,” the statement read.
“What really stands him out as one of the all-time greats was his extraordinary consistency.
“He netted 20 or more goals for five consecutive seasons and according to statistics compiled for Premier League assists, he has supplied the second-highest figure in that competition’s history. He made a record-breaking 164 consecutive league appearances between 2001 and 2005, still the highest for an outfield player,” the statement continued.
“The facts may seem to speak for themselves but in truth they barely tell half the story. It is Lampard’s dedication to improvement throughout his career that is perhaps the most remarkable facet of his game.”
Lampard has, meanwhile, urged Chelsea to “keep making history” after confirming he will leave Stamford Bridge this summer.
In a statement, Lampard said: “When I arrived at this fantastic club 13 years ago I would never have believed that I would be fortunate enough to play so many games and enjoy sharing in so much success.
“This club has become part of my life and I have so many people to thank for the opportunity. Firstly, Ken Bates, who put his neck on the line to sign me as a young player and without him I would not have even begun this experience.
“Roman Abramovich, the man who saved our club and took us all to new levels. His desire to push the club to the top of the football world has rubbed off on everyone.
“All the managers and coaches who have helped me develop my game during the time I have been here. I have learnt from every one of them. All the brilliant team-mates who I have been lucky enough to train and play alongside for so long. Not just their football qualities but also the friendships I have gained along the way.
“I’d also like to give a special mention to all the staff and people behind the scenes at the club who do not receive the glory but without them the club would simply not function.
“The club will move forward, and as a Chelsea man I have no doubt that with the quality of the players that are there, they will continue with the success that we have all enjoyed over the past seasons.
“Finally and most importantly, I would like to thank the Chelsea fans.
“I believe they are the greatest fans in world football. You have supported me from the moment I arrived. Not only on the pitch, but in difficult moments in my personal life off the pitch. I will never forget.
“I feel honoured to have shared so many special times with you. Bolton, Amsterdam, Munich, the list goes on and on. I, and we as a team, could not have achieved those moments without your support.
“Whatever the next challenge is for me I will always be amongst you and have Chelsea in my home and in my heart. Hopefully I will get to see you all soon to say goodbye properly. In the meantime thank you for the memories and keep making history!”
Chelsea detailed Lampard’s “momentous career” on their official website and described him as “one of the very greatest players to have represented the club”.
The tribute piece continued: “Any Chelsea supporter who has had the good fortune to watch Super Frank Lampard in full flow will know we have never seen his like in our midfield before, and we will be very blessed to again see his equal.”
Lampard was voted Fifa’s 2005 World Player of the Year runner-up, the same year Chelsea ended a 50-year wait to become champions of England. The England international also won the Premier League in 2006 and 2010, the FA Cup four times, the League Cup twice and the 2013 Europa League. — Soccernet.
Online Reporter