Lampard: I'm Going To Finish My Career At Chelsea

[EskWeston 696]

Frank Lampard today committed his future to Chelsea by revealing that he wants to stay at the club for the next "six or seven years".

The midfielder's pledge provides a timely boost for Avram Grant as he tries to overhaul Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League in the second half of the season.

The Chelsea boss is close to recruiting two new players - striker Nicolas Anelka and defender Branislav Ivanovic - but Lampard's insistence that he wants to "stay at this club for the rest of my career" is much more significant.

Contract talks with chief executive Peter Kenyon are on hold, which prompted speculation that Lampard was set on a move abroad in the summer.

The midfielder, 29, who has 18 months left on his contract, is still not expected to put pen to paper until the end of the season, yet he has assured fans that this is not a reason for them to worry.

He said: "On a scale of one to 10, Chelsea is a 10 for me in terms of importance and I'm not just saying that. Everyone around me knows how much Chelsea mean to me. In my life my family comes first, but Chelsea come second.

"I don't think I will receive the love I get from the Chelsea fans anywhere else. I feel strongly about it and I'd love to have another six or seven years of it. I'm at a club I love and living in an area I love."

Anelka has confirmed for the first time he wants a move to Stamford Bridge and revealed that the two clubs are in talks - even though that was denied last night by Bolton boss Gary Megson.

The 28-year-old France international is eligible to play in the Champions League despite playing for Bolton in the UEFA Cup and, while Manchester City are also believed to be interested in him, he hopes a move to Chelsea will be completed soon.

Anelka said: "The chairmen [of Bolton and Chelsea] are discussing it. I hope it happens but until the contract is signed and I am presented to the press in my new shirt, nothing is done.

"I want to go to a bigger club and that's what Manchester City have become under [sven-Goran] Eriksson, who I was ready to join in 1999 at Lazio. Staying at Bolton, where I am very happy, wouldn't be a punishment either."

Bolton signed Anelka, who played in their 1-0 win over Derby last night, from Fenerbahce for £8million last year but they want around £15m for the striker.

Chelsea also expect to secure an £8m deal for Lokomotiv Moscow defender Ivanovic.

The Serbia international can play anywhere across the back four and will bring more depth to the squad with captain John Terry out for several weeks with a foot injury and Tal Ben Haim struggling for form.

Source: Daily Mail

[Fulham Broadway 16,392]

6 or 7 years a bit optimistic, but he should be around for a while. If hes going to fuck off to Spain or whatever, probably be sooner than later and this Summer.

Bolton asking the 'Chelsea price' for Anelka is no surprise.

I hope this new Serbian isn't a liability ala Boulahrouz with regard to giving away free kicks, penalties. Looks like he takes no prisoners.

[ironhorse 0]

Hi

Well if frank is staying thats the best news i have heard for ages .

hes the best in the world

come on frankie , come on Chelsea

[EskWeston 696]

6 or 7 years a bit optimistic, but he should be around for a while. If hes going to fuck off to Spain or whatever, probably be sooner than later and this Summer.

Bolton asking the 'Chelsea price' for Anelka is no surprise.

I hope this new Serbian isn't a liability ala Boulahrouz with regard to giving away free kicks, penalties. Looks like he takes no prisoners.

It is very good to hear Frank say this now as we have not heard anything on this for a long while now and it is good to know that his intention is to stay still. I agree though that 6 or 7 years could be very optomistic.

The problem for us with these January transfers is that we need them done very very fast because of the ACN mainly and our massive injury pile up so we have no time to beat them down on prices, chances are we will pay slightly over the odds for most players this January...

[Alee. 182]

Loyalty :beer: :drunk:

[terry26 6]

Loyalty

couldn't say it better myself

made me smile reading that

[mourinhoschampions 0]

Great news

[TrueChelseaBlue 105]

thank fook for that

[True_Blue 469]

Frank is probably the best player we have beside Terry.And i would probably be devasted if he ever left us.My favourite player since he arrived back in the 2001 season.Stay as longest you like Frank you will always have a place in the hearts of the blues most faithfull.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Well apparently this guy is shit and we don't need him, so he should piss off to Barca.

I worship the guy and I would be delighted to see him end his career as the Bridge. Lamps is the kind of guy I can see managing us one day alongside JT.

[Ollie 4,400]

hes said this before tho hasnt he, i posted this ages ago........

I don't think theres any doubt that he'll stay tho. We'll just get all these stories now for the rest of the season with nothing confirmed.

[Steve 10,227]

possibly butt i think hes serious i dont think he will ever leave us hes to committed to Chelsea