Frank Lampard Reaches Premier League Milestone
Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
With his presence in the starting lineup today against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Frank Lampard made his 400th start in the Premier League for Chelsea Football Club. Lampard has made 424 Premier League appearances for Chelsea and has made 639 in all competitions including the League Cup, FA Cup, and Champions League. The best part of reaching this milestone for Lampard will surely be that it came in a decisive victory against one of Chelsea’s main rivals and puts the club in pole position for the league title.
Since arriving from West Ham United on a transfer in 2001, Lampard has set the league alight with his goal scoring escapades. He has won nearly everything a player can win at the club level in Europe including the League Cup, FA Cup, Premier League, Charity Shield, Europa Cup, and of course the cherry on top the Champions League.
Already a club legend, Super Frank cemented his place at the top of Chelsea’s goal scoring charts with a double against Aston Villa that broke Bobby Tambling’s long standing record. He has since added to his total and has scored 210 goals so far. 200-plus goals in 600 appearances is a fantastic return for a striker much less a midfielder who is often in a deep-lying playmaking role. More than fifty of those goals have come from the penalty spot but his consistency and ruthlessness in front of goal is what makes him the player he is.
With his Chelsea career winding down it looks less and less likely that Lampard will enjoy a Giggs or Scholes-like ending where he can slowly fade in to the background. Chelsea have made it a habit to only offer one year contracts to players over 30 and Lampard is no different. He was perilously close to leaving the club this past summer but decided to return for another year.
There are reports that Chelsea have offered him another one year deal but it would come as no surprise if he did not return. He has previously stated that he would not play for another club in England but a lucrative offer in a league like the MLS surely awaits a player of his stature and pedigree. Regardless of what happens come summertime, Lampard looks poised to end his career with more silverware to add to his already full trophy cabinet.
Follow us on Twitter at @PrideOLondon
Like us on Facebook at The Pride of London