Four-star Frank fuels Blues bid

It's difficult to overstate the value of Frank Lampard to Chelsea. Managers come and go but Lampard has stayed - so far - and become not just a key component in Chelsea's success but also an enduring symbol of their rise to the high plateau of the European game.

No wonder Avram Grant is so keen to keep him at Stamford Bridge. Lampard is still to sign a new contract but the Chelsea manager said: "The club want Frank and he wants to stay, so nothing has changed.

"As for the negotiations, that is not my area. But I can tell you Frank will stay at Chelsea. I am almost sure of that."

With the big Spanish clubs making noises, it is easy to understand why Chelsea are so keen to secure the services of the 29-year-old former West Ham midfielder.

His four goals in the 6-1 demolition of bottom club Derby County emphasised the huge gulf that exists between the best and worst in the Premier League. Lampard, bristling with energy, purpose and technical excellence, represents the very best.

"He attacks, he defends and he scores goals," said Grant. "He has now scored more than 100 for Chelsea and I think he will go on to score 150. Obviously he is a very important member of the team and anyone who plays like this is not easy to replace."

Lampard's four give him a total of 107 in 358 games for the club, equalling the record of a Stamford Bridge legend of a century ago George 'Gattling Gun' Hilsdon.

Strangely, Hilsdon too joined Chelsea from West Ham and was the only midfielder in the club's history to score more than 100 goals until Lampard got to work. It is almost seven years since the England star joined Chelsea and, after an unconvincing start, he has averaged almost a goal every three games. This is about as good as it gets for the all-purpose player and puts him right up there with great goalscoring midfielders like England pair Bryan Robson and David Platt.

But I suspect that even they would acknowledge the goalscoring superiority of Lampard. Four goals in one match is a remarkable feat and, in fact, only two players have scored more in one game in Premier League history - Alan Shearer and Andy Cole, both of whom hit five.

Lampard, of course, was aided and abetted last night by the miserable quality of Derby's defending - but he has proved to be just as effective against high-class opposition.

In last night's match programme, for instance, he recalled his favourite effort - against no less than Barcelona in the Nou Camp last season. "I've scored a few good goals but that one stands out," he said.

That night Lampard scored with a spectacular shot curled in from out on the wing. Although there was nothing quite so extravagant against Derby, they all demonstrated three great qualities; coolness; a sense of anticipation and prodigious energy levels.

His first goal, a penalty in the 28th minute, highlighted his natural calm under pressure. His second-half hat-trick - scored in the space of 15 minutes - demonstrated his eye for a goal, his persistence and strength and his shooting ability.

Goals from Salomon Kalou and Joe Cole completed an impressive Chelsea performance, while substitute David Jones scored a 72nd-minute consolation for Derby, who are 10 points adrift at the bottom.

Lampard's performance went some way to exorcising the demons that engulfed the club following their FA Cup quarter-final exit against Barnsley last weekend. Injury kept him out of the team on Saturday and the renewed mood of optimism generated by his return may prove critical in the last few weeks of the season.

The victory lifted Chelsea to within five points of league leaders Arsenal, who have played a game more, and left them three points off second-placed Manchester United.

"If we win our game in hand we are just two points behind [Arsenal] and they have to come to Stamford Bridge to play us," said Grant.

"We have 10 games still to play, so anything can happen. I think we have a good chance to win the Premier League title. I believe we have won more than 80 per cent of our games in the League since I came and we need to continue winning."

There's little doubt that if Chelsea maintain the form of last night they will pose a significant threat to Arsenal and United but, in the end, the team that best balance domestic demands with those of the Champions League, may be the one that will emerge triumphant.

Derby manager Paul Jewell, who lost his centre-half Alan Stubbs with injury after just 15 minutes last night, has no doubt that Chelsea have the quality required.

"We were outclassed by a terrific team," he said.

"It was like a world heavyweight champion up against an ABA lightweight. I was squirming in my seat because everything they did they did better than us."