Frank Lampard To Leave Chelsea in Summer

AFRIKUPDATE

SPORTS

By Oliver Brown

 

Chelsea informed Lampard’s agent, Steve Kutner, after the club’s 2-1 Premier League win at Everton that there was no possibility of the midfielder staying at Stamford Bridge beyond the end of this season.

Lampard originally learned of Chelsea’s decision at last month’s Club World Cup in Japan. He could be in no doubt of owner Roman Abramovich’s determination to let him go as the club reiterated their position last week, after a game in which he had scored two match-winning goals.

His representatives at Steve Kutner Management told The Telegraph on Sunday night that Chelsea had made it clear there was no way back. “Frank has had to accept that and just wants to carry on playing football for Chelsea, so as to finish the season as successfully as possible for the club he loves,” they said.

Despite suggestions of recent dialogue between Lampard and the club, it is understood that these discussions were designed purely to appraise him of Chelsea’s stance rather than to offer him any hope of a new deal.

Abramovich has endured a fierce backlash from Chelsea supporters over both his treatment of Lampard and his appointment of Rafael.

 Abramovich pressing ahead with his plan to offload Lampard this summer regardless of whether the player accepts any cut in his £150,000-a-week wages.

Lampard moved alongside Kerry Dixon as Chelsea’s second all-time leading scorer on 193 goals – nine behind Bobby Tambling – when he converted a penalty in Chelsea’s 5-1 FA Cup third-round victory at Southampton.

Fans in the away end chanted “sign him up” from the first whistle to last but this has done nothing to persuade Abramovich, who has resolved to dispense with Lampard no matter how many goals he scores in the remainder of the season.

Lampard looked visibly emotional as he celebrated his 193rd Chelsea goal in the win at St Mary’s. “Maybe I was a little bit,” he said. “I am enjoying my football, I have to say. I know there is a lot of talking going around but I am really enjoying playing. That’s what it is all about, so even if there are certain things going on in your head, when I run out there and the fans support me the way they do, it can’t help but make you a bit emotional.”

Talking effusively about his connection with the Chelsea fans, whom he ran towards after dispatching his 83rd-minute penalty, Lampard said: “I apologise if I swore because I might have done, but they supported me throughout my career here and particularly in recent weeks. It is the way they have been with me all the time, and I just wanted to say thank you back. That’s genuinely how I feel. This club has been amazing to me, and the club is the fans, so I can only thank them.”

On moving alongside Dixon on Chelsea’s roll of honour, Lampard admitted: “It means a lot, I have so much respect for Kerry. He is still a personality around the place and a good friend of mine. To get anywhere near him, let alone level with him, is something I am very proud of. He has been one of the most supportive people at the club for me.”

His latest strike took him to within nine of the all-time Chelsea record of 202, set by Bobby Tambling. Given that Chelsea will not to repay Lampard’s 12 years of service with another contract, this one could hardly have been more poignant.