Eden17Hazard17
10 years ago
I just wanted to point out that we need another DM next to Matic. Pogba or Koke preferably but thats unlikely and Khedira is slightly older. So, I'm starting to think about Witsel, he can rotate with Van Ginkel.
Frank Lampard has released an emotional open letter to Chelsea fans thanking them for their support during his 13 years at the club.
The 35-year-old confirmed that he will leave West London for pastures new and accompanied the announcement with a message for Chelsea supporters.
The veteran midfielder scored an impressive 211 goals in 649 games after signing from West Ham United in 2001 for £11million.
'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.
'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.
'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.
More...Frank Lampard leaves Chelsea and is expected to join new MLS side New York City FCFrank Lampard told there will be no new deal at Chelsea, with MLS newcomers New York City favourites to sign himCesc Fabregas is top target for Chelsea after Arsenal snub £30m race for Barcelona starJose Mourinho predicts England will progress out of World Cup group... but only because Chelsea boss wants to keep his jobPSG ready to return to Chelsea with £15m swoop for Ivanovic'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!'
<a></a><a>Mourinho: In a few years Lampard will have statue next to Osgood
</a>**FRANK LAMPARD TIMELINE
**1978: June 21 - Born, Romford, son of former West Ham defender Frank Lampard senior.
1995: Joins West Ham as a trainee.
October - Loaned out to Swansea.
1996: Makes his full debut as a second-half substitute against Sheffield Wednesday at Upton Park in May.
1997: August - Nets his first senior goal in the 2-1 win over Barnsley at Oakwell.
1999: October - Makes full debut for England when he starts in the 2-1 friendly win over Belgium at Sunderland.
2000: June - Captains England Under-21s at the European Championship in Slovakia.
2001: May - Claims he wants to quit West Ham after boss Harry Redknapp and his father, Redknapp's assistant, leave the club.
June 11 - Moves to Chelsea in an £11million transfer.
September 16 - Sent off for throwing a punch at Chris Perry in the 3-2 victory against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
September 23 - Fined two weeks' wages after a Sunday newspaper publishes revelations of a drunken incident in a Heathrow hotel with team-mates Eidur Gudjohnsen, Jody Morris, John Terry and Leicester's former Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair.2004: June 24 - Scores extra-time equaliser in Euro 2004 quarter-final against Portugal but England lose on penalties.
September 19 - Sets new Premier League record for an outfield player of 114 consecutive appearances in Chelsea's clash with Tottenham.
2005: April 28 - Voted Professional Footballers' Association Fans' Player of the Year.
April 30 - Scores twice against Bolton as Chelsea seal the Barclays Premiership title.
November 26 - Breaks record with 160th consecutive appearance in the Premier League.
November 28 - Second behind Barcelona's Ronaldinho as European footballer of the year.
December 19 - Second behind Ronaldinho as FIFA's world player of the Year.
December 28 - Run of consecutive Premier League matches ends at 164 as a virus rules him out of Chelsea's away match against Manchester City.
2006: April 29 - Wins back-to-back Premiership titles after a 3-0 victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
2007: February 25 - Wins Carling Cup with a 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium.
March 19 - Victim of an attempted attack on the pitch by a fan after Chelsea's 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final win over Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
2008: March 12 - Scores four goals in Chelsea's 6-1 win over Derby.
April 24 - Mother Pat dies.
August 13 - Signs a new five-year contract with Chelsea.
2009: January 17 - Captains Chelsea in his 400th appearance for the club with Terry ruled out by a late injury.
May 30 - His 20th goal of the season is the winner in the FA Cup final, 2-1 over Everton.
September 9 - Scores twice as 5-1 win over Croatia secures England's place in 2010 World Cup.
2010: February 9 - Captains England in friendly against Denmark.
March 27 - Four goals in 7-1 rout of Aston Villa puts Lampard on 20 for a fifth straight season and 151 for Chelsea, third all-time.
May 15 - Helps Chelsea retain FA Cup with 1-0 victory over Portsmouth.
2011: September 2 - Left out of starting line-up against Bulgaria, the first competitive England match he did not start for four years when fit.
November 12 - Captains England and scores only goal in 1-0 win over world champions Spain.
2012: February 25 - Having struggled to hold down a place for Chelsea, publicly admits to problems with Portuguese manager Andre Villas-Boas.
April 9 - Scores his 150th Premier League goal in 1-1 draw with Fulham.
May 19 - Captains Chelsea to victory in the Champions League final. Chelsea win 4-3 on penalties, Lampard scoring, after a 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich.
May 31 - Ruled out of Euro 2012 with a thigh strain.
2013: January 7: Agent Steve Kutner claims Lampard will not be offered a new Chelsea contract before his deal runs out in the summer.
March 17 - Scores his 200th Chelsea goal against former club West Ham.
May 11 - Breaks Bobby Tambling's Chelsea record of 202 goals as he scores twice at Aston Villa.
May 15 - Chelsea win the Europa League, beating Benfica 2-1 in Amsterdam.
May 16 - Signs a one-year extension to his Chelsea contract.
2014: June 2 - Having played sporadically under returning boss Jose Mourinho and scored seven goals in the season, announces he will be leaving Chelsea.