Grant 'almost sure' Lampard will stay with Chelsea
Avram Grant urges calm over Frank Lampard's contract situation
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Thursday, 13, Mar 2008 11:30
Chelsea manager Avram Grant has said he is "almost sure" midfielder Frank Lampard will sign a new contract with the club this summer.
Speculation has been rife for more than 12 months that the England international is looking to buy out his contract with the Blues, in accordance with Fifa regulations, to sign for another club - possibly Barcelona.
And despite Lampard repeatedly denying the rumours, a distinct lack of updates on contract negotiations has ensured talk of the 29-year-old preparing to leave Stamford Bridge has not cooled since last year.
However, speaking after Chelsea's 6-1 victory over Derby County last night, Grant confirmed his confidence that the player would stay in west London.
"The club wants Frank and he wants to stay so nothing has changed. As for the negotiations, that is not my area," the Blues boss said.
"We plan something for next season and I can tell you that Frank will stay in Chelsea, I am almost sure about that. But when I speak with the players it is between them and me."
"He has scored more than 100 goals and I think he will score 150 for Chelsea."
Lampard took his total number of goals for the club to 107 against the Rams last night as he netted four times.
The win moved the Blues to within five points of Premier League leaders Arsenal with a game in hand, and Grant emphasised the influence his vice-captain has on the team.
"Any player who plays like this is not easy to replace - he is a very important player," Grant added.
"He can score and he can also defend. But I say again, the [contract] situation with Frank has not changed."