Carlo Ancelotti has underlined Frank Lampard’s importance to Chelsea Football Club.

The England international is again having an impressive season for the Premier League leaders, and he has taken little time to earn the plaudits from his new coach.

Indeed, Ancelotti has spoken of the former West Ham United star in the same breath as Kaka and Franck Ribery, and even former great Diego Maradona.

"He has a different quality to Kaka, Franck Ribery or Diego Maradona,” the Italian said in the Daily Telegraph. “But has the same importance for the team.”

Lampard has certainly come a long way from the days he was an Upton Park boo-boy, but could he be the best player in the modern-day era at Stamford Bridge?

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