When Chelsea confirmed a deal to sign Frank Lampard from West Ham back in 2001, few expected him to have the impact he was going to have in West London.
Lampard won near enough everything that was on offer during his time at Stamford Bridge, before returning for two management spells at the club.
His uncle, Harry Redknapp, always had faith he could make it, however even he may have not expected the midfielder to become Chelsea’s top scorer in history, a record which will take some beating.
Arguably Lampard’s finest night as a Blue came in May 2012, when he led an ageing Chelsea side in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich to a dramatic win on penalties.
The wild celebrations that followed Didier Drogba’s equaliser and winning spot kick were a sign of a group of players who had come so close so many times, and finally got the job done.
Frank Lampard dedicated Chelsea Champions League win to Roman Abramovich
After the game, Lampard was quick to praise someone who was not even a member of the playing squad as a key reason as to why they were able to be crowned Champions of Europe.
The England international dedicated the win after the game to Roman Abramovich, telling TalkSPORT that it would not have been possible without him.
He said: “Roman Abramovich deserves this. We wouldn’t be where we are without him pumping in the money and producing the squad that he’s done.”
Lampard stayed for just a couple more years before making his exit after 13 glorious years in West London.
Lampard said Abramovich ‘saved’ Chelsea
As he said goodbye to supporters who saw him already as a club legend, he again gave his thanks to the former owner, saying his passion to win was infectious to the playing squad.
He said to The FA: “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.”
Abramovich was forced to make the tough decision back in 2021 to fire Lampard as manager of the club, despite a really strong first season in charge.
While it was hardly a regrettable decision to bring in Thomas Tuchel as his replacement, it was claimed at the time that Abramovich was unconvinced by hiring the German who would go on to win the Champions League again.
