By Martin Lipton
Frank Lampard is ready to become David Beckham’s replacement at Los Angeles Galaxy.
Lampard, set to make his 500th Premier League start against Aston Villa on Sunday, accepts his Chelsea days will be over after 12 years at the end of the season.
The veteran midfielder, who turns 35 in June, had spoken about wanting to stay in top flight football and was linked with a move to QPR to play for uncle Harry Redknapp.
But with Rangers’ Premier League status far from certain, Lampard – who will not be allowed to leave Chelsea next month – is now prepared to follow the dollar trail to Major League Soccer.
With Beckham having called time on his spell at the Galaxy, Lampard can take advantage of the “designated player rule” which means he is not subject to the MLS salary cap.
Los Angeles will be able to offer Lampard more than £130,000 per week in a lucrative final pay-day after the midfielder conceded: “Maybe things don’t last forever.”
Despite remaining a favourite of the Stamford Bridge fans, Chelsea have decided that Lampard will not be offered a new deal at the end of the campaign.
Interim Blues boss Rafa Benitez, though, insisted on Friday night he has no doubts over Lampard’s ongoing commitment to the club.
Benitez said: “Frank is an important player for us. His quality and experience are something we can use to help the team and we know he will score goals as well.
“For anybody to play a lot of games in the Premier League is not easy. To play 500 is massive, a big feat.
“My job is to bring the best from every player but Frabnk is a great player and fully committed to the club.
“At the moment I can see him working very hard in training and games. I don’t see any difference in him since he spoke in Japan.
“Yes, he wanted to play on the first game against Monterrey and wasn’t happy but that’s normal. Afterwards, he was okay. He is working as hard as any of the players.”
