He was one of the finest players of his generation.
Frank Lampard scored more than 200 goals for Chelsea across 13 trophy-laden years between 2001 and 2014.
He also won 106 caps for England and played at three World Cups.
Safe to say then that the £11million it took for Chelsea to lure him from West Ham at the start of this century was money well-spent.
But, it has now emerged that Lampard's career could have taken a very different path.
It turns out he could have signed for Leeds United - had his father, Frank Lampard Snr, not sought out advice from former Chelsea man Alan Hudson.
Hudson, speaking to the Times, revealed: "I’m the reason he (Lampard) signed for Chelsea.
“His dad rang me and said he was going to Leeds.
"I wouldn’t say I talked him out of it, but I told him my view.”
Of course, Lampard did indeed follow that advice and the rest, as they say, is history.
After a successful career with the Blues, Lampard went on to represent Manchester City and New York City.
He then stepped up into management and led Derby County to last season's play-offs - culminating in an infamous semi-final clash against Leeds which the Rams came out on top in.
And all this in a season when the spygate episode dominated the build-up to their clashes.
After falling short in the play-off final Lampard was then poached for the managerial job at Stamford Bridge, and has led his new employers to fourth in the Premier League before the coronavirus-enforced suspension of matches.
