I'm going nowhere! Lampard ready to open talks about deal to end career at Chelsea

Frank Lampard has revealed he is ready to start negotiating a new contract that will keep him a Chelsea player for the rest of his career.

The 34-year-old is in the final 12 months of his current Stamford Bridge deal, sparking suggestions he could become the next Blues stalwart to leave following Didier Drogba’s summer exit.

Lampard has been constantly linked with a move to America, with LA Galaxy mooted as possible destination. But the England midfielder said: ‘I’m ready to sit down and talk to Chelsea whenever they want to.

‘I’ve had a great time playing for Chelsea and I hope I can prolong it. In an ideal world I’d finish here and keep giving what I have given over the past ten years. Though, I wouldn’t want to fade away as a player and be here without performing or producing. I want to always be at a level I know I can play at and give a lot when I play.

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‘I certainly feel I’ve got more than a year left in me. I feel I’ve got a few more years in terms of top football. I’m fit enough and fresh enough. 

‘My legs are fine and with experience you can bring something else to the team in terms of off the pitch, helping the young players coming through. 

‘I’d love to do that. Chelsea will always be my club regardless of what happens now in terms of my playing days.’
But Lampard acknowledges he may have to wait before the club come knocking with the offer of fresh terms.

‘There’s not a timeline for the talks, I’m not that pushed at the moment. It’s not the same as when you’re 25. Then they come to you or you knock the door down with a couple of years to go to extend it. When you get into your 30s you accept it’s not that way any more. And it’s not a problem.’

Still got the legs: Lampard says he has much to offer Chelsea

Meanwhile, Lampard has spoken of his anguish at missing England’s Euro 2012 campaign through injury. The midfielder was forced to miss the tournament after pulling a thigh in the build up.

‘It was a huge disappointment at the time. I was devastated, having come off the back of our huge Champions League win,’ said the veteran.

‘I was bouncing when I joined up with the squad and really looking forward to the Euros and playing a part, whatever that was going to be.

‘I got injured on the second day but looking back now it means I’ve had a good old rest which is something I don’t normally get. But personally it was frustrating watching the tournament and frustrating seeing us get knocked out.  

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‘But maybe it was something in the bank for me in terms of resting my legs through the summer. I’m very keen to continue playing for England. I’m just not a person who wants to retire at an early age.  

‘If I don’t play for England any more it’s either because they don’t want me and they don’t pick me or the fact that I can’t give what I want to give in an England shirt.

And I don’t feel that yet. The minute I do then I’ll go. There’s no ego of trying to hang around for caps. I’ve got 90 so 100 is there. 

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‘But I wouldn’t want to be there as a charity case and they’re rolling me out just to get to a hundred. There’s a great group of players who have won 100 caps and of course that’s something you strive for when you get towards that figure.  

‘But I’m very proud of what I’ve done with England. I’ve played 90 games and if I didn’t play another one I’d still be very proud.’