An ode to Frank Lampard: The Chelsea legend’s three finest moments

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Being a young 18-year-old millennial, the retirement of Frank Lampard struck a chord in my heart. While he had faded from football in the last two years, his announcement of his official retirement felt like the official closing of an era of growing up with football. Frank Lampard is one of the most iconic faces of English football, from his attacking versatility, free kick prowess, and general class. His name is synonymous with the Chelsea team of the 2000’s decade Chelsea side which Roman Abramovich helped transform from mid-table euro-dreamers to the pinnacle of club football- the esteemed Champions League.

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Lampard was a special player. Harry Redknapp was sure to note that in a fan forum in 1996 when a fan was bluntly told Redknapp and a bleary-eyed 17-year-old Lampard that he wasn’t good enough. Redknapp adamantly promised Lampard would make it to the top. Sometimes people forget, as the years go by, just how talented Lampard was; after all, in 2005 he was runner-up in the Balon d’Or. The thought of an English player getting such recognition is an elusive idea nowadays. He will forever be known as one of the country’s greatest midfielders, alongside Steven Gerard and Paul Scholes.

While not a one club man, his iconic moments came at Chelsea and his career is intrinsically linked to his time in South-west London. To commemorate his brilliant and iconic time as a player, here are three of his greatest moments…

Lampard’s title winning brace, 2005

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On the 30th April 2005, Frank Lampard sealed Chelsea’s first Premier League title in 50 years in Mourinho’s maiden season at Bolton Wanderers. On the hour mark, Lampard showed great strength to get to the ball in the box and composure to find space for a neat finish. The goal edged Chelsea to within touching distance of the Premier League title. Lampard wheeled away in delight with Didier Drogba and William Gallas before the dog-pile ensued.

With 15 minutes left, Lampard finished off a swift counter-attack by rounding Jussi Jaaskelainen to slot home and send the Chelsea contingent into delirium. Lampard, with his 13th goal of the season, handed Chelsea the title. His exploits that season and early on in the next one would land him second place in the Balon d’Or and justify Harry Redknapp’s stunning defense of the Englishman in 1996.

This moment epitomised the first Mourinho Chelsea team and is symbolic of the tight relationship he held with the Portuguese manager. The image of him celebrating the opener will forever be the gem of the moment.

Lampard turns the Champions League Semi-Final on its head, 2008

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Chelsea v. Liverpool in the Champions League was as predictable in the mid to late 2000’s as Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich in the round of 16 nowadays. The two clubs had begun to develop a bitter rivalry. Chelsea came into the second leg with a lead and precious away goal from Anfield. However, the preparations had been dislodged with the death of Frank Lampard’s mother. Despite his mourning and overwhelming grief, Lampard did what no one could expect or request of him and he played the fixture for Avram Grant’s men.

With the aggregate score tied and the two teams deadlocked in extra time, Liverpool defender Sami Hyypiä brought down Michael Ballack in the box. Lampard stepped up to take the penalty and drove it home surely. The midfielder overcame all his grief to play the match and made it count, showcasing his commitment to Chelsea even in the most trying times.

Lampard sprinted to the corner flag to collapse in tears, overwhelmed by a plethora of emotion.

Despite losing to Manchester United in the ensuing final in Moscow, Chelsea fans had endless gratitude for Lampard’s commitment and contribution in that milestone moment for the team.

The Munich Miracle, 2012

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The greatest night in Chelsea’s history and Lampard’s career came in the least likely of circumstances. Chelsea’s title victory in 2012 was improbable, to say the least. There is little intelligent thought to be put into the event. Dogged determination and heart-on-the-line defending helped Chelsea win “ole’ big ears” for the first time in an abysmal league showing that year after the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas. Missing Raul Meireles, Ramires, Ivanovic, and captain John Terry, Lampard took the captain’s armband on a momentous night in Munich. Lampard was key in Chelsea’s route to the final despite scoring less. He was pivotal in the comeback against Napoli and set up Ramires for a cheeky chip in the second leg of the semi-final against Barcelona to turn the tie on its head.

The final continued to stack the odds on Chelsea winning their first Champions League with the match to be played at the Allianz Arena, inopportunely the home of their rivals Bayern Munich. Lampard assumed the captain’s armband and led his team in yet another defensive masterclass that weathered a 120-minute attacking storm from Bayern.

Lampard buried his penalty, Cech pulled off saves, and Drogba buried the winner. Lampard rushed to the invading Chelsea fans hugging and celebrating with them. Having been at Chelsea since the start of the Abramovich revolution, winning the Champions League was the pinnacle of Frank’s career. His mission to win it became an obsession and he won it gloriously in 2012. Lampard didn’t show all of his technical mastery in 2012 but led Roberto Di Matteo’s ragtag bunch boldly against all the odds.

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