When Frank Lampard steps out onto the Riverside Stadium turf tomorrow afternoon, he will hit a very significant milestone. It will be his 380th appearance in the blue of Chelsea, drawing him level with the late Peter Osgood in terms of all time appearances made for the club.

Given Lampard’s consistency and fitness, it isn’t hard to envision him rising further up the list before he hangs up his boots.

Ahead of the Middlesbrough game, Lampard has spoken about reaching the milestone and what it feels like to rank alongside a player like Osgood.

“It means a lot seeing I didn’t get to Chelsea until I was 22,” Lampard said. “I didn’t imagine I would make the top 10 in this time when I first signed here. When you are up with great names in the history of Chelsea, which is something I am very proud of.

“Ossie [Osgood] is the greatest in Chelsea history as far as I am concerned, him and Franco Zola. I have a massive amount of respect for Ossie and what he stood for. I am very honoured to match his games record and I would love to match his goals record at some stage.”

Lampard publicly demonstrated the admiration he had for Osgood by kissing the penalty spot after scoring in Chelsea’s 6-1 win over Derby County. The penalty was the first Lampard had taken at the end where Osgood’s ashes are buried under the penalty spot. He had missed the first penalty awarded there after being injured against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

“I had been waiting for that moment and it was slightly disappointing, but I had my time to show a bit of respect there against Derby,” Lampard said. “I just had to make sure that when I got one, I didn’t miss it. I was at the ceremony when his ashes were buried there and it was a gesture for him because for the few years I was at the club when he was alive, he was always very good to me.”

With five years of his contract left to run, there’s no telling how high Lampard can rise up in Chelsea’s history books.

Top All-Time Chelsea Appearances

1. Ron Harris 795
2. Peter Bonetti 729
3. John Hollins 592
4. Dennis Wise 445
5. Steve Clarke 421
6. Kerry Dixon 420
7. Eddie McCreadie 410
8. John Bumstead 409
9. Ken Armstrong 402
10. Peter Osgood 380
11. Frank Lampard 379

Top All-Time Chelsea Goal Scorers

1. Bobby Tambling 202  
2. Kerry Dixon 193  
3. Roy Bentley 150  
4. Peter Osgood 150  
5. Jimmy Greaves 132
6. George Mills 123  
7. Frank Lampard 115  
8. George Hilsdon 107  
9. Barry Bridges 93  
10. Tommy Baldwin 92