Frank Lampard is expected to follow the lead of John Terry and sign a new one-year contract to extend his stay at Chelsea.
It looked as though Terry’s long and extinguished career at Stamford Bridge was drawing to an unmemorable close under Rafael Benitez, the unpopular Spanish coach who restricted him to just 14 Premier League matches last season. However, the return of Jose Mourinho has seen the Blues skipper rekindle his best form and importance to the side, and he has played 47 times in all competitions during the latest campaign.
Indeed, his form has been so reminiscent of his prime that there had even been calls for him to return to the international fold for the World Cup, yet the former England skipper has resisted the temptation to contact Roy Hodgson. He has, though, been rewarded at club level, with a new contract ensuring he will remain part of Mourinho’s plans for the 2014-15 season, which will be his 17th senior year at the London club.
“I’m delighted to have signed an extension to my contract with Chelsea taking me into my 20th year with the club,” the 33-year-old, who initially linked up with the Blues as a 15-year-old in 1995, said in a statement. “I’d like to thank the fans and club for their continued support, and the manager who was instrumental for me the last season.”
It was initially believed that Terry was holding out for a two-year deal, which would almost certainly have taken him to retirement. However, his love the club and his desire to continue playing under Mourinho has convinced him to sign on reduced terms, although he will no doubt be hoping this agreement will again been reviewed next year.
It is now expected that Lampard will be offered a similar deal. Unlike Terry, the midfielder will be part of England’s plans in Brazil, but he is also due to become a free agent this summer. The Guardian claim the 35-year-old will be offered the chance to continue at Stamford Bridge next season, which would give him a 13th successive term at the club and the opportunity to further extend his record as the club’s all-time goalscorer.
But the future of Ashley Cole is far from certain. Also a free agent this summer, it is thought Mourinho has recommended to the board that a new offer is made to the 33-year-old. However, the fullback, who has been left of Hodgson’s World Cup squad, lost his place in the starting XI this season, and is sure to have no shortage of interest from rivals clubs in the Premier League and also from Europe and maybe beyond.
