• Premier League

Lampard targets four more years

ESPN staff
May 12, 2013
Frank Lampard does not want to retire in the near future © Getty Images
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Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has set his sights on playing for another four years after becoming his club's all-time top goalscorer on Saturday.

Lampard, 34, scored his 202nd and 203rd goals for Chelsea as he helped his side clinch a 2-1 win over Aston Villa that all but secured their Champions League qualification.

The England international's second strike saw him surpass Bobby Tambling's all-time scoring record for the Blues but, in spite of that feat, he has yet to be offered an extension to his current deal at Stamford Bridge, which expires this summer.

"I'd love to carry on as long as I feel I can do and I feel I'm fit," Lampard said, before outlining the inspiration he takes from Manchester United's 39-year-old Ryan Giggs.

"I'd love to do that, for another three or four years. I'd love to emulate those boys. Ryan Giggs (has) got an aura around him. All the players at the club look up to him. He's the mark."

Asked about the uncertainty regarding his future, Lampard said: "The easiest part about this season has been playing games, in terms of the speculation.

"When you are thinking about it too much at home it becomes more detrimental, but when you're playing and training and want to do well for the team then it's easier."

The arrival of billionaire oligarch Roman Abramovich as owner in the summer of 2003 left the existing squad fearful amid the imminent influx of global superstars, Lampard explained.

He said: "Every summer you thought: 'Blimey, there's more coming in, am I going to play?' The ones that stayed here were the determined ones and the ones that fought to try to up their level to stay in the team.

"The John Terrys of the world, at that time the Eidur Gudjohnsens. We went through that transition and became important players for the Roman era.

"Roman Abramovich completely transformed the club. It became a winning club and that was certainly down to him."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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