Chelsea legend fears Lampard may miss out on goals record
Ron Harris says it would be “fitting” if Frank Lampard breaks Chelsea’s goalscoring record.
But the Blues legend fears Lampard could be running out of time to replace Bobby Tambling as the club’s top marksman.
Lampard netted his 200th goal in a Chelsea shirt in the win over his former side West Ham last month and is now just two shy of Tambling’s record.
Harris, who holds the record for the most Chelsea appearances, with 795, told West London Sport: “Both of them are great lads and if you said to Bobby that someone would break his record then he would say Frank was the right man to do it.
“I spoke to Bobby a couple of months ago and he hasn’t been well but he would be thrilled if his record went to someone like Frank.”
Harris said it would be an “incredible achievement” for the England midfielder, whose £11m signing in 2001 caused more than a few raised eyebrows.
“He cost a lot of money when he signed but has been worth every penny,” said Harris.
“He has looked after himself so well over the years. He’s not been playing as much as he would have liked and is running out of games a bit, but it would be fitting if Bobby’s record went to him
“Frank is a wonderful goalscoring midfielder. But he’s not a midfield general. He’s a player who makes the right runs and loves getting box to box.
“The timing of his runs and his long-range shooting are exceptional. He has scored some brilliant goals in a Chelsea shirt.”
Lampard’s contract expires this summer and there has been speculation that he could be on his way out of Stamford Bridge.
And Harris fears a lack of games could scupper the 34-year-old’s chances of at least bowing out in style by grabbing the record in the closing stages of the season.
Lampard’s incredible career
England: 95 games, 28 goals
Chelsea: 599 games 200 goals
Premier League titles: 3
FA Cups: 4
League Cups: 2
Champions League: 1
He has not been a regular under interim manager Rafael Benitez in recent weeks, and with only seven Premier League games and a maximum of six cup matches left, Harris says time is running out.
“I do wonder if he will get the record,” Harris said.
“If I was a betting man I would probably say he won’t. But then he may well score on Thursday and then you never know, he might match or break the record against Manchester City on Sunday at Wembley.”
Harris said if Lampard does surpass Tambling record of 202, he can proud of moving ahead of one of Chelsea’s greatest servants.
“Bobby was a 100% and a genuine lad on and off the pitch,” Harris recalled.
“He had a fantastic left foot and was an ideal fella to have in the side.
“He wasn’t great in the air but was such a willing runner and although not the quickest over the first few yards, he was such a strong runner – great over a distance and great at getting shots away when one-on-one against players.
“Bob had great stamina and was so difficult to knock off the ball. He wasn’t a Jimmy Greaves-type player in the box and you wouldn’t describe him as an out-and-out goalscorer.
“But he was a great finisher, scored a lot of goals from outside the box and could also get on the end of things.”
Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook
