Lampard admitted for the first time on Saturday his relationship with Blues boss Villas-Boas had ‘not been ideal’, amid speculation of a falling-out between the pair.
Even before he made three separate pieces of history by scoring his 12th goal of the season in their much-needed 3-0 Premier League win over Bolton, his was the name on the lips of the Stamford Bridge crowd.
‘Super Frankie Lampard’, they sang about the man who repaid their adulation with the 150th league goal of his career and his 125th in the league for Chelsea, the latter taking him ahead of legendary striker Jimmy Greaves in the all-time Blues scoring charts.
The 33-year-old midfielder also became the first player to reach double figures in the Premier League for nine consecutive seasons.
‘I just want to play and the way the fans were with me was amazing,’ said Lampard. ‘It’s lump-in-the-throat stuff when they sing your name like that.
The fans have stuck with us brilliantly. It’s been a tough old season.’
Saturday’s match was the fourth this season in which Lampard was scored on his return from being benched by Villas-Boas and he added: ‘When I play I know I can contribute.’
Saturday’s match was the fourth this season in which Lampard was scored on his return from being benched by Villas-Boas and he added: ‘When I play I know I can contribute.’
The victory over Bolton was Chelsea’s first in six matches and Lampard demanded consistency in their push for the top four, adding: ‘It can’t be a false dawn. We need to carry on.’
Villas-Boas insists he wants Lampard to stay at the club, but added: ‘It does not depend on me. It depends on three parts – I want him, [he] wants to stay and the club wants him.’
