Chelsea boss Frank Lampard insists Roman Abramovich has been the biggest modern influence on the club - and not Jose Mourinho.

Lampard has saluted Tottenham manager Mourinho for turning ­Chelsea into winners — but says Abramovich was always the big man at Stamford Bridge.

Asked whether Chelsea could have reached those heights without the presence of Mourinho, he said: “It's hard to say.

“But, for sure, it wouldn't exist without Roman Abramovich.

“Jose played a big part. His ­imprint on the squad was huge. He took a very talented team who had come second, one that was bursting to win the title, and had a massive effect on it.

“As manager, he takes huge credit.

“But once he left, the legacy was up to the players. It was a strong group and we had different managers pushing that agenda.

“The credit for the longevity and how we won things afterwards goes down to the core of the squad we had at the time, and our will to win."