Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard on Thursday admitted that his days at Stamford Bridge are coming to an end. In an interview with reporters, the 34-year-old noted that the boardhas not discussed a new contract with him, meaning he will most likely depart the club he has called home since 2001 when his contract expires in June.
As The Telegraphsays, from Chelsea’s point of view, Lampard is 34, a high earner in the age of financial fair play, and not guaranteed a starting place in a club that has plenty of alternatives in centermidfield, including John Obi Mikel, Ramires, Oriol Romeu and David Luiz.
“I feel I have two or three years in me – at least – at the toplevel,’’ Lampard told reporters after Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Monterrey in the Club World Cup semifinal on Thursday. “The ball is in Chelsea’s court. At the minute nothinghas been said. Nothing has been planned. Talks about ‘a one-year extension’ or ‘two-year extension’ don’t exist. Maybe things don’t last forever.
“Although I want it to last forever you have to be big enough to know what it is. I want to be involved. That’s my character. Whatever happens, I’ve had a great time at Chelsea. Ifeel like I’ve had a good year particularly from where we were in February to playing what I like to think was a big part in winning the Champions League and FA Cup.”