Centre-back Thiago Silva has sent a message of thanks to former Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard after the Blues won the UEFA Champions League for the second time in their history on Saturday evening.
The Blues, who axed Lampard towards the end of January and replaced him with Thomas Tuchel, laid their hands on the Champions League trophy for the first time since 2012, defeating Manchester City 1-0 at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto, courtesy of Kai Havertz's strike shortly before half time.
Considered as underdogs ahead of kick-off, the Blues were full value for their victory, dominating the game pretty much from the first whistle, with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy rarely troubled.
What was even more impressive about Chelsea's ability to get the job done and keep yet another clean sheet was the fact that Tuchel was forced into tweaking his defensive rearguard in the first half, as Silva was forced off with an injury and replaced by Andreas Christensen.
But, in the end, it didn't matter too much, with Havertz's strike proving decisive.
Although Tuchel will be the hero that goes down in Chelsea folklore for being the man that guided them to an achievement many Blues fans would have only dreamt of at the start of the season, it is important to remember that Lampard guided Chelsea successfully out of the group stages at the start of their European journey.
And for Silva, who was understandably gutted that he could not play the duration of the final, he has thanked Lampard for his role and his decision to sign him last summer, following his exit from Paris Saint-Germain.
"This is special, in what is my first year here," Silva told RMC Sport. "Tuchel has changed the team mentality, but it is also important to talk about Lampard.
"Without him I would not be here. So, thanks to him for letting me sign here. I'm very happy and I hope he is, too."
As well as paying credit to Lampard for his role in bringing him to Stamford Bridge almost a year ago, Silva also highlighted just how big a moment it was in his career to finally lay his hands on the Champions League title, after admitting that it was his dream to win the competition after the first-leg of the Blues' semi-final showdown with Real Madrid in April.
The experienced Brazilian defender added: "This is the most important moment of my career. It's unforgettable.
"I didn't manage it with PSG but today I'm happy. I hope PSG do it one day, too. Every time PSG were eliminated, people tried to find a culprit and it was always me. That's a shame because I really gave everything.
"But I hope they win it because I have left a lot of friends there. I will always stay red and blue."
