Lampard coy on future discussions

23 July 2012 16:47

Frank Lampard has refused to rule out this being his final season at Chelsea.

Lampard, who joined the Blues in 2001, is entering the last year of his contract and has been heavily linked with a move to Los Angeles Galaxy.

After captaining Chelsea in their pre-season friendly against Paris St Germain in the early hours of Monday morning, Lampard said: "I have another year on my contract at Chelsea. We have a big season. We play in the Super Cup and the World Club Championship in December. Then it's up to Chelsea."

He added: "If they want to speak with me about my future, then I'll speak with them. I wouldn't rule anything out at the moment."

When asked about a potential move to Major League Soccer, the man who captained the Blues to Champions League glory in May said: "Not at the moment, no, because I have a contract with Chelsea. Beyond that, I don't know."

Lampard is already ensured legendary status at Chelsea thanks to the goals he has scored and the trophies he has lifted while at the club. The same could be said of captain John Terry, despite the defender's numerous off-field travails.

Monday's game saw Terry make his first appearance in a Chelsea shirt since he was acquitted by a court of racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand, the 31-year-old coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1-1 draw at the new Yankee Stadium.

Terry, who could yet face Football Association charges over the allegation, was given a hero's welcome as he entered the field, and after the game said: "It felt very good," before giving a thumbs-up and walking away from the media. Lampard added: "John will always be a hero for Chelsea fans. Quite rightly so, the way he's done on the pitch."

Chelsea have already spent big this summer to sign long-term successors to Terry and Lampard and have been linked with a host of other players. Brazil star Oscar appears to set to join them after the Olympics, having confirmed he underwent a medical with the Londoners.

The president of his current club Internacional, Giovanni Luigi, has now told Radio Guiaba: "There is a verbal agreement between the two parties. But we have to put that on paper and the lawyer of both clubs have to discuss the matter."

Source: PA