Lampard reckons Benitez was a success at Chelsea

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard reckons Rafa Benitez was a success in his time at Stamford Bridge.

Despite opposition from a section of the Chelsea support regarding his appointment, Benitez confounded his critics by guiding the team to Europa League glory and a third-place finish in the Premier League.



Lampard, whose form under Benitez was rewarded with a one-year contract extension, admits the former Liverpool boss was thorough in his approach.

"He's a professional bloke. He prepared very well for games. And it was a difficult situation for him as well," Lampard said.



"As interim manager it was always going to be quite difficult because we all knew it was only to the end of the season.





"So there was no planning, no long-term relationships were going to be built. So, in that respect, he did a good job because we got the end result - success."



Despite that, though, Lampard did not grow close to Benitez on a personal level.



"There are certain managers you build relationships with and feel closer to," Lampard told. "He's not that kind of bloke.



"Other managers draw a bit of a line and keep it that way. Rafa's more like that.



"He was not really the sort of manager you could sit and talk with."

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Lampard 'considered leaving'

Frank Lampard says he considered other 'options' before signing a one-year contract extension with Chelsea.



The 34-year-old's existing contract was due to run out in June of this year and there was speculation that he could leave the club.

And Lampard said: "From January onwards, I was allowed to look at other options. I don't want to get into all the behind the scenes stuff but at the same time I wanted to get my head down at Chelsea and show that I could still do it, remain fit and contribute.

"Talks with the club had been ongoing, though, and it wasn't something we wanted to throw out there while important games were going on."

With Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez's time at the club coming to an end this weekend after their final game of the season against Everton, Lampard denied he wanted to find out who the next manager was before signing a contract.

"I didn't make any enquiries nor were guarantees made to me about who the next manager would be," Lampard said.

"Because we all read the press we are all aware of what might happen and I have the faith that the club will make the right decision. It wouldn't be right for me to say who the next manager should be.

"This is a great club with great players and the idea of certain managers arriving does excite me."

Jose Mourinho is the bookies favourite to replace Benitez and Chelsea's record goalscorer, Lampard, says the Portuguese's CV speaks for itself.



Lampard said: "There's a determination and a drive in Jose Mourinho which stands him out above the rest. He went from Chelsea to Inter Milan and created something amazing. He then went to Real Madrid and won the league.

"If he did come back here or wherever, I know he'd have so much desire to make it work. He would be a great success"




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Lampard targets England ton

Frank Lampard has set his sights on a century of England appearances after scoring his 200th goal for Chelsea.

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Lampard reached the 200 mark with a header in Sunday's 2-0 victory over former club West Ham and remains a match-winner for Chelsea at the age of 34.

The midfielder has now turned his attention to England duties and is glad to be part of manager Roy Hodgson's plans as the squad prepares for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers with San Marino and Montenegro.

Lampard is fully aware that he is closing in on another football milestone, with six more appearances needed to make 100.

"I'm really enjoying the England thing," said Lampard. "You really appreciate it as you get older every time you play for them.

"I'm enjoying being a part of it. It's a very happy, comfortable squad with Roy in charge.

"It's 94 (caps). But six caps in international football is still a relatively long way. So I'll take it cap by cap."

Lampard has been asked to undertake a deeper midfield role in recent years, but he revealed how former Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo encouraged him to get forward at crucial times in the game.

This advice continues to pay off as Lampard requires just three more goals to surpass Bobby Tambling as Chelsea's record goalscorer.

"With experience you can play the deeper role and try to arrive at just the right time, a bit less often but with a bit more effect," Lampard said.

"I think I probably learned to play this way when Di Matteo came in in the run-up to the Champions League final.



"I've developed a bit more and now I'm able to play deeper and still arrive in the area."

Lampard: Special goal for me

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard says it was a 'special' feeling to score his 200th career goal for the club against West Ham on Sunday.



style="border-radius: 25px 25px 25px 25px; border: 5px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);" width="320" />The veteran Blues man struck in the 19th minute against his old side with a well-placed header to put the hosts on course for their 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard was happy to reach the milestone and credited team-mate Eden Hazard, who provided the assist before scoring himself in the second half.

"It's special. It's obviously a landmark I've been getting towards," he told Sky Sports.

"I'm just pleased to get there and pleased it's an important goal for the team.

"I've been very fortunate to play for the club for a long time here with great players and players who put the ball on a plate sometimes for you like Hazard did there so I'm thankful.

"I think he's got the world at his feet and he can handle that pressure because he's that good."

Despite reaching the landmark, Lampard was frustrated not to make it 201 when he uncharacteristically blasted a chance over the crossbar in the second half.

He added: "I'm really annoyed. I won't sleep tonight.



"I love scoring goals and I love being able to arrive in the box. I think I relaxed a bit on that one and skied it over the bar."