Totally Frank About His Contract

Chelsea Midfielder Frank Lampard has, unsurprisingly, begun clamoring for a new contract with the club.

Lampard, 29, has 15 months remaining on his current deal, expiring at the end of next season.

After talks slowed last Summer, Lampard halted negotiations so that he could concentrate on football.  He now feels slighted that Chelsea held him at his word.

“I said at the beginning of the season I didn’t want to talk about the contract and that was me [speaking] personally because I wanted to concentrate on my football. But they have made contact this season and it hasn’t been followed up with any news. They’ve said something is going to happen. If we wait to the summer and nothing happens then I’ll have a year left, which is not a position I want to be in. I’ve made it very clear I want to be here and I want to know what’s going on, basically,” Lampard told The Guardian.

Ideally, Lampard would like to say  with Chelsea.  He is the vice captain.  He thinks he could command upwards of 130,000 GBP.  Hopefully, he would get some sort of sinecure coaching or executive job after he retires.   Should he stay, he would be both complacent and comfortable.

But, perhaps this is an opportunity for Lampard to go abroad.

He has already won the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Carling Cup with Chelsea.  He isn’t going to get any younger or stronger, so his place in the squad will be continually challenged.  With his game stagnating, Lampard would also continue to be frozen out of the England Starting XI.

However, he should be an attractive proposition for other European clubs.  He is available at a relatively cheap price – a team can purchase him by buying out his contract for next season.   He has the tactical acumen to adjust his game to that of Spain or Italy.  There is also a chance that he could be reunited with Jose Mourinho to flourish at one of the big four continental clubs next season.  And who doesn’t like a 20-goal per season scorer from midfield?

A move abroad would cost Lampard comfort and cash, but it would also afford him an opportunity to both expand and enhance his career.