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 05 September 2008 07:50 BST

Lampard admits Chelsea contract situation 'is dragging on'

Friday, 14 Mar 2008 14:44
Frank Lampard frustrated by lack of progress in contract talks
Frank Lampard has admitted he is frustrated with his contract situation after revealing Chelsea are yet to come to him with a concrete offer.

The England midfielder's current deal expires in the summer of 2009 and he has said his current predicament is "not ideal" and the club are dragging their feet over negotiations.

He told the Evening Standard newspaper: "I've been approached a few times by the club saying they are going to come to me with something and they haven't.

"That means they're saying they will have to wait until the summer and I don't really know what that means.

"I said at the beginning of the season I didn't want to talk about my contract because I wanted to concentrate on my football.

"They have made contact but it hasn't been with any news. They've been saying that something is going to happen but if we wait until the summer and nothing happens then I've got a year left which is not a position I want to be in."

While the 29-year-old confirmed he "loves playing for the club" and is very clear he wants to stay, he says the delays and stumbling blocks over negotiations are becoming tiresome.

"I want to know what's going on… I'm enjoying the greatest days of my career," he continued.

"Every time I run out for the club I don't think about the contract but when I am at home I would like it to be sorted out.

"It's dragged on this season and that's not ideal for me."

The England midfielder's future with the west Londoners has been the subject of much speculation for nearly 18 months, since he is currently in the position of being able to buy out the remainder of his contract and move clubs for free.

According to Fifa regulations, Lampard's deal is no longer protected as he has served three years with the club after signing his last contract.

If a player signs a contract after the age of 28, this 'protected period' lasts only two years before they can pay the club the wages they would be due to enable them to terminate their contract.

The precedent for such circumstances was created when Andy Webster's move from Scottish Premier League side Hearts to Wigan Athletic was ratified in September 2006.

And as a result, Lampard could conceivably leave Chelsea with 15 days' notice at any point to sign for another team.End of story


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