London, Aug 22(ANI): Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has said that the fear of being sold or knocked out of The Blues fired him up to score more frequently.
Lampard equalled Jimmy Greaves record in the club’s all time goal charts, when he scored a penalty in the 3-1 victory over Sunderland last Tuesday, taking his goals tally to 132 in his eight-year career at the club.
The 31-year-old further admitted that he never dreamed of such a strike rate when he first arrived in west London, but knew that he had to up his game when Roman Abramovich took control of the club in 2003.
“Abramovich’s first year was a big year for me, I started to score more frequently. I think it was the fear factor a bit as no one knew whether they would be sold or knocked out of the team,” The Sun quoted Lampard, as saying.
“I really took it on board,” he added.
Lampard achieved his feat in 429 matches, since joining Chelsea from West Ham United in 2001.
“It is a great honour to be up there with Jimmy Greaves, one of the all-time great goalscorers. I’m very proud. I would not have imagined I’d have got to that level when I came to Chelsea,” Lampard said.
“I’ve got my eye on who is above me. Peter Osgood and Roy Bentley are 150 – not that I’ve been looking at the stats! Kerry Dixon is 193 and Bobby Tambling is 202. That feels a long way off but I’ll keep plugging away,” he added.
Lampard has scored many memorable goals for the team, but his all-time favourite remains the strike which helped Chelsea win the 2005 Premier League title.
“My favourite goal was the one that won us the league at Bolton. It wasn’t technically the best, but it was such a special one for me and the club. I watch it now and again and when I do, it gives e shivers,” he said. (ANI)