Frank Lampard wants to thank the Chelsea fans by winning the Premier League title back for them. "The reason I'm so close with the fans and have a rapport with them is that coming from West Ham and growing up a West Ham fan and coming to Chelsea, looking back I didn't understand so much it was a potentially difficult move because of the rivalry," he said.

"It was a difficult year when I arrived and I wasn't playing outstandingly well but they took to me, gave me a chance, and in the second year got fully behind me.

"The way they are with me on the pitch and off the pitch, I feel very strongly as a Chelsea person and it's overtaken my life. I can't forget that.

"It's well documented that there was the potential to leave in the summer but I didn't want to let down the people who supported me over the years."

The club and fans also consoled Lampard after his mother, Pat, passed away last season.

Lampard said: "It's been a terrible year for me because of my personal situation, and that supercedes football.

"Football has been tough but on the pitch it's been relatively successful."

Lampard wants to pay fans back with the Premier League title over the Champions League.

"I would like to win the Premier League back," he said on BBC London 94.9, after picking up their player-of-the-year award. "I think the feeling we had when we won was amazing. That is at the top of my list, but the Champions League isn't far behind.

"This season has started very well for me - I'd go so far to say it's some of the best football I've played. I feel good and hope to continue that."