Frank Lampard, Nicolas Anelka and Mike Forde, Chelsea's director of football operations, have paid tribute to Wales manager Gary Speed, who died at his home over the weekend.
Like Lampard, during his playing days Speed was a goalscoring midfielder who lit up the Premier League, making more than 500 appearances for Leeds United, Everton, Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers, where he was a team-mate and a coach to Anelka.
His tragic passing has been felt across football, by both those who knew him well and those who did not.
'He was a great man,' Anelka said. 'I played with Gary at Bolton and he was my friend. I knew his kids and wife and it's very sad.
'This is a massive loss to football, he played such a part in the history of English and Welsh football and I am very sad to hear the news. We all have good memories of what he has done in the past and they will live on.'
Lampard knew Speed as an opponent on the field, and was impressed by his fellow midfielder's spirit and professionalism.
'I played against him quite a few times in my career and he was a very complete midfielder, you could put your house on him and that's why he was holding records for appearances and was greatly admired at all the clubs he represented, because he was such a good professional and person,' the midfielder said.
'Gary was a great player. Every time I met him he struck me as being a real gentleman of the game. You never heard a bad word about him, and he never gave you the impression that you should do. I met him by chance in London a few months ago, and he was very polite and friendly. He was a great ambassador for football and my thoughts are with his family and close friends at this time.'
Forde helped sign Speed for Bolton in 2004, and knew him well having worked together for a number of years.
'The extremely sad loss of Gary Speed over the weekend is devastating for so many people in the world of football that words cannot describe it,' he said.
'Gary epitomised everything that was pure and brilliant about the game of football and the reason why so many children around the world are inspired to play the game. He was the ultimate role model. He was a person who had everything - talent, a fantastic attitude, professional to the last detail, always putting the team before his needs, an incredible work-rate and a winning mentality, but above all an amazing humility and passion for the game. But, it won't be these things that people will sadly miss about 'Speedo'.
'To so many people he was such an inspirational person, a great friend who had the respect of everyone on every level across the whole sport; but the things I will remember are the small human touches that made him an incredible guy. Wherever he went, whoever he was with, Gary had time and respect for everyone, even the people who were of no possible value to him in his life. This is what made him unique and special in the heart of so many people and what the world has lost with his sad and untimely passing over the weekend.'
There will be a minute's applause to pay tribute to Gary Speed before Tuesday night's Carling Cup tie with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, and players will also wear black armbands to show their respects.
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