Luiz Felipe Scolari's claim during his introductory press conference that Frank Lampard would stay at Chelsea is reported to have sparked an extraordinary confrontation between the midfielder and chief executive Peter Kenyon that has seemingly made his departure to Inter Milan inevitable.
While Scolari's debut performance in front of the press was composed and confident, his announcement that Lampard would be staying at the club may prove a terrible error of judgement.
Far from settling the issue, the repercussions of Scolari's claim saw Inter Milan table a £8m bid for the midfielder last night and his departure is now depicted as merely a matter of time.
"He wants to stay and to play for Chelsea for many years. I was very happy because I think Chelsea needs Lampard and Lampard likes Chelsea. Now it's a minimum of questions to solve it and Lampard will be with us more time than one year," Scolari declared.
The announcement was immediately countered by Lampard's agent, Steve Kutner, stressing that while his client 'wanted' to stay, that didn't mean he would be staying. "He made it categorically clear that although he would love to finish his career at Chelsea, with the deal he has been offered that is not possible," Kutner's statement read.
Yet while Kutner was issuing his statement, Lampard's reaction is reported to have been even less restrained. According to the Times, 'Lampard, who watched the press conference at the training ground in Cobham, Surrey, between double sessions, confronted Peter Kenyon in the canteen when the chief executive returned from the nearby Hilton Hotel, where Scolari had been speaking.'
An irretrievable breach has apparently opened between Lampard and the club's hierachy, with Chelsea unwilling to meet his demand for a five-year contract worth approximately £135,000 a week. No doubt delighted at the unexpected turn of events, Inter Milan, now under the management of Jose Mourinho, made their first formal bid for Lampard's services last night and saw the odds on the player moving to Italy tumble.
Your Comments
pan_of_qld
"Let him go. He'll be average over there which will help the England midfield problem."
Jedi_Keith
"Sell the chubby little waster, He's obviously no intention of working for his position and just wants to ensure a healthy bank roll for the next 5 years (as inflation is bound to put up the price of a big mac). 8 million, 1 year left on his contract, 4 people ahead of him for his position in the Englang team, I'd rip there hand off. Bit embarissing that Liverpool got more than Crouch though in a very similar position."
dimblewit
"Forgive my ignorance - but (hypothetically) would £135k make him the highest paid player in the league?? I forget what the others earn - these numbers are really meaningless at this stage. May I also enquire what one does with a salary of £135k pa? Does he eat it? Where does Ferdinand put all his???? Does he spend it on merkage?"
dboy
"I can see what you are all saying about what Lamps contributes to Chelsea and they should pay him what he wants because he is one of their best players, highest scorers blah blah blah...but remember the contract he wants is for 5 years, not just another 1 or 2 seasons, so in 4 years time when he is nearly 35, he will be earning £140k a week....for what?? You really think a player of his style, a box to box player who covers god knows how many yards a game can maintain what he does for more than a couple of years?? I think not..in 3 years he will be half the player he is now, due to the fact the old legs just wont do the biz anymore, so I say Chelsea should make him honour his last year, then let him go on his free transfer next summer, when he is nearly 32..if Inter or anybody else still want to pay him that salary..more fool them. Then next year Chelsea can go pay a young, hungry midfielder in his mid 20's who they know they will get 5 years of quality from before old age kicks in!"
chelseablue
"I don't know any club that gives 5 year contracts to 30+ year old, John Terry was 27 when he signed his last contract which was 5 years, so that'll run out when he is 32. One of the papers was trying to liken contract that Lampard wants to the ones that Sheva and Ballack signed, but as I think Sheva signed a 4 year deal and Ballack a 3 year deal, they are not even remotely alike, except in terms of pay and if you had been your clubs top scorer in more seasons than not (especially as you're a midfielder) during your time at the club, then why shouldn't you get the same sort of money as the likes of Ballack and Sheva. The only stumbling point of the negotiation's seems to be the length of the contract, Chelsea offering 4 years Frank wanting 5 years. It's only normal for a player looking to sign the last contract of his career to want a long one. Chelsea should just give him the 5 year contract, maybe 4 with a 1 year option."
anc123
"he just wants to move to a bigger more stable club"
mattjpa
"cragglerock 82: typical dim liverpool fan view! i dont like chelsea anymore than most other fans but anyone with half an idea about football would agree his workrate is phenomenal, he has an excellent eye for a goal, a cracking shot and is capaple of deft killer passes when required. Also he rarely bottles it in a blues shirt. They will miss him if he goes and his value would be alot higher if he had longer left onn his contract. but thanks for your view anyway. now run along....."
Joey_Deac
"cragglerock82 - you are entitled to your opinion pal, but calling Frank a primadonna is well wide of the mark. In the 7 years that he has been at Chelsea, he as been one of THE most professional, respectful and consistent players in the League, let alone the club. He has done his graft, taken outragious stick while keeping his dignity AND acheived more than Stephen Gerrard - who almost sighned for us and changed his mind at the 11th hour, if that aint the actions of a prinadonna I dont know what is? Drogba - no contest, prima throgh and through, but Lamps has done it season in, season out, always fit and available, not one to gob-off or throw his ego around. Therefore he has the right to negotiate the best deal for himself in comparison to others becuase he has performed accordingly. "
Joey_Deac
"Mattygoal - the was in Cobham, 10 minutes from the training complex. Not that I disagree with your sentiment about newspaper bullsh*t, I am just a bit pedantic that's all."
Kopoffwivyrwife
"manificentno7, hold yr horses matey, theres no guarantee ronaldos stayin!!! even if he does, is his heart still in it? and how will his team mates feel deep down, knowing hed rather play with ruud, robben and robinho? hmmm if i was rooney id butt him 4 this and another 1 for the sending off!!!"
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