Lampard's legacy: Chelsea's best ever and a symbol of contemporary class

F--k Off Chelsea FC/ You ain't got no history/ Five European Cups and 18 leagues/ That's what we call history

Pioneered by some crafty Liverpool supporters, the cheeky chant meant to malign Chelsea for its newfound success is a catchier tune than it is an emblem of club canon.

That's not to say there isn't one iota of truth to it.

Chelsea did have to wait fifty years after its inception in 1905 to capture its first major trophy - the league in 1955 - and another five decades to win its second top-flight title.

The second crown - won by a dozen points over London rival Arsenal in 2005 - coincided with a change in the club's fortune courtesy of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich's investment, and with it, the most successful period in Chelsea history. Since then, Chelsea has won the league three times in 10 tries and appear poised to make it five in 11 barring unmitigated disaster.

Pair that quintet of league conquests with four FA Cups, three league cups, the 2012 Champions League, and the Europa League the following year, and the Blues have taken more than twice as many major trophies (13) in the last 13 campaigns as they've won in the previous century, including the three domestic cups between 1997 and 2000.

Not entirely the "no history" some Merseyside minstrels have alleged in the past, though it's wholly fair to declare Chelsea as a club whose storied days have been recent ones.

When assessing the club's best-ever players, it's unthinkable that a list of the most accomplished and decorated Blues would not heavily favour the last decade and change, and even for the most senior of Chelsea supporters whose memories are distant and remote, Frank Lampard is the zenith.

Of all the great footballers to grace the confines of Stamford Bridge since Abramovich bought the club from Ken Bates in June 2003, Lampard edges England mate and fellow West Ham youth product John Terry, and ponytailed purveyor of timely goals Didier Drogba as Chelsea's best.

A trio of Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, and a pair of European triumphs are only bested by Terry's accomplishments with the club in the three seasons prior to Lampard's arrival in 2001 and after the 106-time capped England international left for spells with Manchester City and MLS newboy New York City FC.

While Terry has long been a rock at the back for the Blues, his recent form has dipped below standards fit enough to depend upon. No longer as skilled as an underrated distributor of the ball and without the opportunities for trademark robust headed goals, the centre-half's legacy has taken a dent. If it was a popularity contest, it wouldn't even be up for discussion.

Like Terry, Drogba merits a nod for being one of the club's best players during its most decorated spell. A goal-scorer whose numbers compare favourably to Chelsea forwards of cult status like Roy Bentley and Peter Osgood, the Ivorian's trophy case dwarfs that of his fellow strikers. Unplayable in his prime, Drogba was the mold for attackers who blended pace with power, and of all his moments, the winning Champions League penalty stands out.

Still, for all the plaudits of his contemporaries like Terry, Drogba, Ashley Cole, and Petr Cech, Lampard is tops.

Overcoming barbs about his weight and nepotism on the heels of his left-back father's career, Lampard was the epitome of a modern midfielder. Ten or more goals in ten seasons on the bounce and five straight campaigns of 20 or more, Lampard eclipsed Bobby Tambling's club record in 2013.

Fitting that of all his virtues, Lampard's goal-scoring stood out. His 177 Premier League goals is fourth best all-time behind Alan Shearer (260), Wayne Rooney (194), and Andy Cole (187), and the Romford-born box-to-box broker is the only player in the top-10 not to ply his trade as a forward. Among the top-20, only Liverpool's Steven Gerrard (16th with 120 goals) joins Lampard as non-strikers among the English top-flight's most proficient scorers.

Dismissed by critics for having his goal-scoring numbers buoyed by penalties, Lampard's 32 successful penalties are second to an astounding Premier League record of 41 goals scored from outside of the box.

Lampard is also one of only four players in Premier League history to record a century of assists, with his 102 behind Ryan Giggs (162) and narrowly ahead of current stars Cesc Fabregas (101) and Rooney (100). Those 100 assists put Lampard with Giggs and Rooney in exclusive company as the only three players to pair 100 goals with 100 helpers.

Considered one of his generation's best midfielders, Lampard was a versatile player able to ply his trade deployed anywhere across the middle of the park, and even on occasion as a second-striker later in his Chelsea tenure.

As adept at making an incisive run to poach a timely goal as he was stringing a pass from a deep position that started an attacking run, Lampard is without question the most versatile midfielder in Premier League history.

Now retired after announcing the next chapter in his career Thursday, Lampard is a legend whose legacy has deservedly coincided with his club's best spell.

No history? No problem.

Apologies to recent heroes and Chelsea legends of yore the likes of Bentley, Osgood, Jimmy Greaves, Ray Wilkins, Peter Sillett, Ron Harris, and Gianfranco Zola, but Frank Lampard is the best player in club history, and it isn't even close.