Roma coach Claudio Ranieri is delighted that Chelsea star Frank Lampard has been recognised as the Premiership's greatest player of the past decade.

Facts and figures' wizards Opta have looked back at every Premier League game since January 1, 2000 and Lamps is the man who emerges with most honour.

Signed from West Ham for £11million in June 2001 by Ranieri, he must go down as one of football's greatest-ever buys.

Ranieri told The Sun: "This news fills me with a great satisfaction and pride because Frank Lampard is totally unique.

"He is a complete player and so professional. It doesn't surprise me that he is the best statistically, ahead of other players you might consider to be even bigger stars. I'll tell you something. In my view Frank Lampard is a genuine 'Pallone d'oro' - which means he should be a European Footballer of the Year. He really is that good.

"He is up there with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of quality - he is just a different type of player. He does difficult things but he makes them look simple and that is why some people think he is less spectacular.

"But I am glad the statistics have shown what a great player Lampard is. They show just how influential he is.

"Lampard has such a strong mentality and that probably shines through too. Only the other day he had to take a penalty three times but he still scored. That tells you how cool he is under pressure, how focused.

"Frank makes a difference to any game he is in. Sometimes it is obvious, sometimes it is less obvious. But he is so often the key to a victory. That's why I am really glad that he has been recognised in some way as the player of the decade in England."