By Telegraph Sport
Lampard maintained his fine scoring form this season with the winning goal in England’s 2-1 victory over Brazil last night.
It has long been reported that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was happy to let Lampard go at the end of the campaign when the 34-year-old midfielder’s contract expired, despite the protestations of the club’s supporters.
Lampard has since been strongly linked with a move to LA Galaxy – the MLS side put on the map by David Beckham.
England manager Roy Hodgson has asked Lampard not to move to America, however, as he still sees him as integral to the national team’s plans, and now it seems Chelsea have followed suit.
Stamford Bridge sources quoted in the Daily Mail have revealed that talks with the player were “positive” and the club will formalise the fresh talks with a firm offer.
And former Chelsea star Graeme Le Saux has added credence to claims Lampard is being offered a new deal by suggesting it is the player, rather than the Blues, who have been stalling over new terms at the Bridge.
Le Saux told talkSPORT: “Chelsea have had quite a hard time in the press with everyone saying they are mad to let him go and should definitely offer him a new contract.
“I’m convinced, though, that Chelsea have sat down with Frank’s people, as they did with Ashley Cole, and offered him a new deal.
“Frank has a professional decision to make and that’s what we, in the media, and the fans forget. He’s got two or three years left playing. Does he go further afield and earn vast amounts of money and secure his financial future? Or does he look at a longer-term plan and think ‘well, I will sacrifice some of the financial rewards to cement the final years of my career playing for a top class team’?
“He’s in a great position because he’s got so many options. He showed against Brazil how valuable he is as a player.”
