NUMBER ONE

MAHDI · 1-KING Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 31

A box-to-box midfielder, Lampard has risen to become the focus of the Chelsea midfield. His work-rate, range of passing and goalscoring ability makes him, at club level, a stand-out performer.

One of many to emerge from the West Ham Academy, Lampard was signed by Chelsea in 2001 for £11 million. He quickly improved his all-around game to become one of the most consistent players in the top flight and his goalscoring record has made him the top scoring midfielder in the club's history.

Under Jose Mourinho he won back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006 and was labelled ''the best in the world'' by his manager. Arguably his greatest season came in 2009-10 when he helped Chelsea to the Double with a haul of 22 league goals, however, he has failed to recreate his club form on the international scene.

Strengths: An incredibly consistent midfielder, Lampard has hardly missed a Premier League game. He boasts an incredible goalscoring record and his powerful shooting and excellent passing is a superb weapon.

Weaknesses: His tackling has been under the spotlight and he lacks the versatility of some of his team-mates.

Career high: Winning his first major trophy in 2005, he was the 'Player of the Season' with 13 goals and 16 assists as Chelsea won the League for the first time in 50 years.

Career low: Booed by the England fans on several occasions, he became a figure of abuse for his failure to dovetail with Steven Gerrard in the heart of midfield.

Style: Energetic, inspirational, technical, a consistent performer at the top level.

Quotes: "After I finish I don't want to be involved with football - not as a manager, coach, agent or in the media. I want to have a career after this. I don't want this to be everything.Frank Lampard, August 2010.

Trivia: He is the son of Frank Lampard Senior, West Ham defender for nearly two decades and England international.