Blues sidestep Lampard question

Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay has refused to be drawn on Frank Lampard's future at the club.

Last Updated: 05/03/13 at 20:17 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  Premier League Top 4 Finish 12/13. Click here to bet.

Lampard: Future remains uncertain

Lampard: Future remains uncertain

Manager Specials

So who will replace David Moyes as manager of Everton after his appointment as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor at Manchester United? Wigan's Robert Martinez heads the betting. Check out the latest odds

Lampard's Chelsea contract runs out at the end of the season when he would be free to leave Stamford Bridge after 12 years.

It was reported in some outlets on Tuesday that Gourlay had suggested talks with the 34-year-old midfielder had begun over a new deal, but the club quickly claimed he had been misquoted before posting his comments on their official website.

Speaking at a press conference to promote a forthcoming pre-season trip to Asia, Gourlay refused to confirm or deny talks with Lampard.

"I am not prepared to discuss this (Lampard's future) at this time," he said.

"Obviously conversations must remain confidential between the club and the players at all times so that is as much as I can say."

Chelsea have previously refused to talk about any possible discussions with their players, including Lampard, and remained tight-lipped on Tuesday.

Lampard's potential exit is one of a couple of off-field issues to overshadow the club as the season enters its final quarter.

Interim manager Rafael Benitez confirmed last week that his tumultuous spell in charge would come to an end at the end of the season, with some speculation he may go before then.

While Chelsea's fans have shown their desire to see Benitez leave, the opposite is true of Lampard, following his glittering career in west London.

He is just one strike away from becoming only the second Chelsea player to score 200 goals for the club and is three behind Bobby Tambling's overall club record.

Lampard's agent Steve Kutner claimed in January that the club had told him and the midfielder that he would "not be offered a contract under any circumstances".

Despite that, Lampard has remained a key part of the Blues' first team this season.

The England international has scored 13 goals in all competitions, despite playing a more withdrawn role, as the Blues continue to compete on three fronts.

Chelsea currently sit fourth in the Premier League, the final Champions League qualification place, while they are alive in both the FA Cup and Europa League.

At present Lampard is free to talk with other clubs about a move, with Major League Soccer side the Los Angeles Galaxy previously linked with the player, although no offers have been made public.

They now deny the rumour? Christ almighty, determined to play the arse arent they. Just give him a one year deal, take this one opportunity to look the slightest bit decent AFC Roman.
- hump3

Bet with SkyBet  Premier League Top 4 Finish 12/13. Click here to bet.

TEAMtalk Facebook Fan Page

The TEAMtalk fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

O

ne of the biggest miss next season would be Mancini's substitutions.. Maybe only Platt understood whats happening...

metal
Profile365's Alternative End Of Season Awards

I

m curious as to what image Real Madrid are trying to re-establish as I always thought their pre-Jose image was one of a bunch of a classless bullies tapping up whoever they wanted while living it large on borrowed money they're never going to pay back.

john matrix
Perez Will Spend Big To Forget Jose...

A

t the start of the season, after the RVP transfer, I confidently claimed that Arsenal would finish above United. I now regret it immensely.

Fuzzy_Dunlop
Reflecting On The F365 Pre-Season Predictions

Footer 365

Pardew given top-10 target

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has been told to aim for at least a top-10 finish next season as he tries to bounce back from a disastrous campaign.

High five trophy target for City

Manchester City's new manager will join a club expecting to win five trophies in the next five years, says chief executive Ferran Soriano.

Manchester City fight back from three goals down to beat Chelsea 4-3

Manchester City fought back from 3-0 down to beat Chelsea 4-3 in a thrilling friendly at Busch Stadium in St Louis.

Mail Box

More Scared Of Losing AVB Than Bale...

We thought we would have to resort to another mailbox about maths but we've had some grand opinions about Man United, Newcastle, Tottenham and more. Oh and maths...

An Ode To Rafa And Loads More Mails...

We have one Chelsea fan who recognises the job done by Rafa Benitez while there's maths from Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester. And Shawcross to Arsenal? Nah...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved