• Premier League

Lampard: No new contract from Chelsea

Miguel Delaney and Kevin Palmer
December 14, 2012

Frank Lampard has revealed Chelsea have yet to start negotiations over his new contract, with the midfielder suggesting he may leave the club in the summer.

Lampard's latest statements would appear to confirm Rafael Benitez's recent indications that the 34-year-old will not be offered a new deal. If that proves the case, it will mean he can start talking to foreign clubs from next month.

"Talks about one-year extension, two-year extension don't exist. At the minute, nothing has been said," Lampard revealed.

"I feel 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.

"I can't predict anything but I feel like I have two or three years at least in me at the top level. It is not for me to decide on this one. It's up to the club.

"Whatever happens, I have had a great time at Chelsea. The ball is in their court. I've had a great, great time here. 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 am not the kind of player to see out my time and sit with my bum on the bench too much.

"I want to be involved. That is my character. I will keep trying to do that, whatever the circumstances.

"People say when you are older you shouldn't play so many games but you need some sort of regularity to playing. Any player will tell you that."

Lampard was left out of the Chelsea line-up by manager Benitez as the European champions booked their place in the FIFA World Club Cup final against Corinthians on Sunday thanks to a comprehensive 3-1 win against Mexican side Monterrey on Thursday.

Yet it seems Lampard is keen to make the most of his final few years in the game, insisting he is not ready to become a fringe player at Chelsea as he winds down his career.

"I was ready to start [on Thursday], but it was the manager's decision not to play me. You need some sort of regularity. It's why Paul Scholes retired at one point. He felt that he was sitting on the bench, and as he got older, he found it more difficult to sit there and be expected to come on and turn it straight on."

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