Having become the club’s all-time top goalscorer, Chelsea veteran, Frank Lampard, has insisted he still feels like he has four more years at the top still ahead of him.
The England international has enjoyed a superb season for the Blues and a renaissance in the England squad under manager, Roy Hodgson.
Full of energy and scoring goals, Lampard has once again been a key figure in the middle of the park for both club and country despite being 35-years-old.
So far, Chelsea, one of the favourites for next season’s title in the betting odds, have been unwilling to offer the Blues icon a new contract, with his current deal at Stamford Bridge set to expire this summer.
The London outfit’s reluctance to give Lampard an extended stay at The Bridge has bemused many of the clubs fans and other managers in the top flight.
Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, had been linked with a move for the Three Lions midfielder, with the Scot already proving that players in their mid to late thirties are still valuable assets in the Premier League.
Lampard himself has admired United veterans Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes and believes like them he can continue playing at the highest level for a number of campaigns to come.
He said: “I’d love to carry on as long as I feel I can do and I feel I’m fit. 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.”
Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich, has often shown a reluctance to offer older players new deals but the Blues could be left ruing that policy, if Lampard moves on to pastures new next season.
Another football veteran, David Beckham, has announced his retirement this weekend. Here are five standout moments from his career.
