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The contrast between Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard couldn't be any greater.

No, we're not talking about their respective trophy cabinets but more the affections in which they are held by the English football fraternity.

This weekend, both will bow out from the Premier League after enjoying exceptional careers that have spanned three decades and racked up over 200 combined international appearances.

While Gerrard has had entire TV broadcasts dedicated in his honour, Lampard's exit from English football has barely registered by comparison. Where has been the outpouring of worship? The plaudits Lampard deserves for one of the finest careers we have seen in the modern era?

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Instead, he's going out with a whimper.

Too often, English football is eager to amplify the talents of players. For Lampard, it's been the opposite.

He's respected, but for all he has achieved, the past fortnight has shown he is far from loved.

Here's the strange thing with the former Chelsea man and Gerrard: While the latter has been celebrated for being a one-club man, he has fallen short in his career. For his part, Lampard has gone beyond what was ever expected of him.

Gerrard emerged from the Anfield youth ranks with a reputation beyond his years. Great things were always expected, and just a day after his 20th birthday, he was an England international with his debut against Ukraine.

He was being fast-tracked, given his call-up after just 43 games for his club.

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Lampard had to wait much longer. He wasn't given his first England cap until he was 21, and that only came after 19 appearances for the under-21s. He had to slog it out before he earned the right.

It's not that he wasn't good enough. Lampard just wasn't fancied like Gerrard—domestically or on the international scene.

So to go and outdo his compatriot so emphatically when it comes to his career totals surely warrants an argument that Lampard was the superior player.

In an age when so much emphasis is placed on statistics, Lampard wins every time. However, the romance is always Gerrard's.

Strangely, Lampard remains the underdog almost.

The facts are clear: Lampard has scored more goals than Gerrard, played more games than Gerrard, piled up more assists than Gerrard and, crucially, won more trophies than Gerrard.

Frank Lampard vs. Steven Gerrard: The Stats Premier League Lampard Gerrard Games played 608 503 Games started 545 465 Substitute on 63 38 Substitute off 52 94 Goals 176 119 Assists 102 92 Source: Daily Mail

His CV is complete.

And all from a player who has had to fight every inch of the way to be heard in football.

Coming through at Liverpool, the pressure on Gerrard to emulate the greats from yesteryear was always going to be a significant burden to carry.

Hailing from a family that included his dad as a former professional and an uncle and cousin also famous in football, Lampard arguably had it tougher.

Gerrard's slate was clean. The shadows chasing him were the ghosts of the Kop. Lampard's started out in the dressing room and followed him home.

It was uncle Harry Redknapp picking him for West Ham United, while his dad Frank Sr. was assistant manager. That went with him everywhere, and his reputation even suffered among his own fans as a result. There was the impression that family ties rather than his ability were getting him picked ahead of others—namely one Scott Canham, as demonstrated in the video below.

Joining Chelsea when he did in 2001, Lampard started the process of putting all that behind him.

Sure, Gerrard carried Liverpool to the trophies they won on his watch, but Lampard carved out his name at a club with stars all around him.

What's hardest: being No. 1 among mediocre players or being a leader among megastars?

That Gerrard was able to impact Liverpool the way he did is a noble achievement, yet Lampard—that unfancied kid from the East End, that kid who benefited from nepotism—became a star among stars.

True, when we think of Liverpool in the Premier League years, it's the image of Gerrard that controls us. Equally, when we think of Chelsea, it's the achievements of their record goalscorer that stand out, a player who has outdone every legend in the history of the club.

The script suggested Gerrard would do that at Liverpool, as opposed to Lampard doing it at Chelsea.

Frank Lampard vs. Steven Gerrard: Trophies Won Lampard Gerrard Premier League 3 0 FA Cup 4 2 League Cup 2 3 Community Shield 2 1 Champions League 1 1 Europa League/UEFA Cup 1 1 Super Cup 0 1 Source: Statto.com

Chelsea have spent billions (quite literally) since the time he swapped east London for west, yet their smartest investment came two years before Roman Abramovich even arrived. It was him.

There haven't been as many Djimi Traores or Alberto Aquilanis to compete with at Stamford Bridge. Instead, Lampard had to outdo the Didier Drogbas and Michael Ballacks.

Lampard isn't just any other player—he's a legend of the modern game, a player who has contributed significantly to making the Premier League what it is today.

When he kicks his last ball in the English game this weekend—frustratingly for Chelsea fans, that will come in Manchester City colours—you wouldn't know it.

Sky Sports are already on the Gerrard reruns, with his story billed as one that we shall not see again. Shouldn't that be what we're pushing for Lampard?

The sad part of it all is that nobody is.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes.