Chelsea alter tack on Lampard

Chelsea look to have made a U-turn on Frank Lampard with talks understood to have begun on extending his contract.

Last Updated: 08/02/13 at 09:07 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  Premier League. Click here to bet.

Frank Lampard: Positive talks with Chelsea over new contract

Frank Lampard: Positive talks with Chelsea over new contract

The 34-year-old's deal at Stamford Bridge expires in the summer and there have been few signs the club's hierarchy were willing to keep hold of the midfielder.

When asked about the situation, Chelsea's head of communications Steve Atkins told Sky Sports News: "CFC do not comment on speculation about players or their contracts."

But on Thursday afternoon, a day after Lampard scored England's winner in the 2-1 win over Brazil at Wembley, it appears there have been positive talks about a new deal between the player and the club's representatives.

The former West Ham player has surprised everybody in recent weeks with a series of impressive performances coming on the back of a worrying calf injury at the end of last year.

He came off the bench to curl in a fabulous winner for England on Wednesday on his 94th appearance for his country and despite his limited first-team action under interim boss Rafa Benitez, he has scored eight goals in his last 13 Chelsea appearances.

While the latest news will be welcome news to most Chelsea fans, his performances on the pitch continue to impress his boss.

Benitez told Chelsea TV: "He's scoring goals for us already and I think he's doing well. Ninety-four caps is a fantastic achievement. If he can get 100 it will be really positive and it will mean he will be fit, he will be playing and he will be doing well."

Discussing the added motivation of reaching 100 caps and wanting to resolve his club future after the England match, Lampard told Sky Sports News: "If I don't get to 100 caps, I have given everything in every game I have played.

"Wherever I go, whatever happens in my career - and I don't honestly know - if I can play at a great level of football and play at my best I will just see what happens.

"When you get older, you realise even more what it is to play for your country; that it won't go on for ever.

"Every time I am in and around the squad, I will give my all, whether it is starting or on the bench. I have got a lot of respect for the manager and I think he respects that I want to help in any way that I can."

Lampard's ambition to become Chelsea's all time leading scorer could influence his decision on signing a one-year contract.

The midfielder, who has scored 15 times in 33 appearances for club and country this season, is six goals from breaking Bobby Tambling's record of 202 goals during the 1960s.

Whether he stays at Stamford Bridge or not, Lampard is aiming to give himself the best opportunity to be part of the England squad for next year's World Cup in Brazil.

"Maybe the World Cup is within reach but I'm certainly not getting carried away," he said.

"I know how football is and from squad to squad it can change, and when you get to the age of 34, 35 this summer, people do look upon things differently and fair enough.

"I'm very understanding of where I'm at in my career.

"But if I can continue playing for Chelsea and continue contributing here, whether it's starting or as a valuable squad member, and when I do my bit, then the World Cup is getting a bit nearer.

"It's certainly a target for me and, yes, I will try to keep playing at a good enough level to get there. It's a target.

"I won't retire from England before that, put it that way."

To find out more about live football on Sky Sports, Click here

Bet with SkyBet  Premier League. Click here to bet.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

R

afa Benitez has won more trophies (10) over the past 11 years than the rest of the current managers in the EPL combined, except for Alex Ferguson.

angry bird
Chelsea duo salute Benitez

T

he day Tonys hat goes missing for some bantz will be different story altogether..

TheBrestEver
Stoke probe 'banter gone wild'

I

m starting to think Roman may never actually be happy at the top level. If he wants all conquering fancy football I wonder if he'd be better off buying a lower division side then paying outlandish salaries to attract high caliber players too good for the division.

john matrix
The Most Unsatisfying European Victory...

Footer 365

The SPL meet again on Monday to try and thrash out a deal for the Scottish game

The SPL meet again at Hampden Park on Monday to try and thrash out a deal for the reconstruction of Scottish football.

Transfer News: Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert in talks to keep Christian Benteke

Paul Lambert is determined to keep Christian Benteke at Aston Villa next season despite interest from elsewhere.

Transfer news: Arsene Wenger to spend in summer to help Arsenal kick on

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has vowed to invest in new players and use this season as a springboard for success.

Mail Box

Arsenal Should Be Praised For Finishing Fourth

Arsenal fans are largely positive after their top four finish, whilst one wag suggest buying Bale from their rivals. We also have an interesting final mail. Enjoy...

James Collins Is Only 29. Tough Paper Round

He is one of a number of solid shouts for players that look old before their time. We also have the final words on lovely D-Beck and a rejection of end of season playoffs...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved