Thursday 2 February 2017 13:28, UK
Frank Lampard was a delight to work with, a manager in the making and up there with England's best, according to Ray Wilkins.
On Thursday, Lampard confirmed his playing career is over after 106 England caps, 11 major trophies and more than 300 goals - a record 211 of them while playing for Chelsea.
Wilkins twice had spells as assistant manager during Lampard's 13 years at Stamford Bridge and was among the 38-year-old's forerunner's in the Blues midfield.
And his enduring admiration for the club's most prolific goalscorer was clear as Wilkins told Sky Sports News HQ: "I was hoping to see him prolong his career because I've admired him as a player but also as a bloke.
"We all talk abut fabulous footballers in the Premier League, but this guy has been an absolute dynamo in midfield, scoring tons of goals.
"More importantly, Frank has conducted himself in a proper manner for the length of his career, so I'm disappointed more than surprised.
"He was just a delight [to work with]. The one thing about Frank was you couldn't get him off the training field. He was always willing to work and never, ever a problem.
"He ranks as one of the top midfield players that's ever played in Premier League without any shadow of a doubt."
Lampard's England career spanned almost 15 years after he won his first cap as a 21-year-old in 1999, and he quit international football with 29 goals.
Wilkins said: "We've had some wonderful players in England - Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard, then back to the likes of Bobby Charlton.
"Frank has to stand up there because of the goals he scored. He was not only creative with a work ethic, he scored his number of goals as well which is so important in international football."
Coaching is a possibility for Lampard, who is taking his badges, and Wilkins said: "He's as bright as a button, knows what he wants and he's an extremely astute young man, so i hope he stays in football and gives us back a bit of his knowledge. I'm sure he'll be successful there as well."
