Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is looking forward to facing Claudio Ranieri's Juventus this week in the Champions League.

"It'll be very special to see Claudio again," said the England midfielder. "I love the man. If it wasn't for Claudio I might not be where I am now.

"He brought me to the club, improved my game and showed me another side to the game. As a West Ham boy I was contract minded and didn't know the continental style and the way to live my life.

"He brought me here and showed me those ways and I've got nothing but thanks for him for the way he helped my career."

Ranieri left Chelsea about a year after Roman Abramovich bought the club, but Lampard suggests that the Italian laid the groundwork for future successes under Jose Mourinho.

"He made John captain at a young age, signed Gallas and bought Petr Cech at the end. He took us to the Champions League semi-final and was a huge part of what we went on to achieve.

"No one's got a bad word to say about him around the place which shows you what a good man he is. I'm very pleased at how well he's done at Juventus."