Frank Lampard, Speak Up!

Everyone has heard the speculation. Inter want him and Chelsea want him to stay. Inter offers £7.95 million and Chelsea turn them down. Scolari says that he told him that he wants to stay and the next day the tabloids report that he is outraged by such claims.

Everyday is a different story in the Lampard to Inter saga. Yet very little has come from the man himself.

The most recent article that I have seen that cites Lampard himself is from June 30th, in which he remains coy about any deals. "Inter? Let's wait and see. For the moment I am here on holiday with my family," he commented.

Since 2001 Lampard has been a large part of the heart and soul of the Chelsea Football Club, appearing in 247 games and hitting the net 71 times. A stalwart in midfield and a pest to defenders, he has proven his worth on the pitch countless times. Just behind John Terry, he has been the spiritual leader of the club and provided the spark needed to win hard fought games.

Lamps has stated, more than once, his desire to remain at the Bridge and even to retire there. However, he has demanded a longer and more expensive contract than the team is willing to devote.

At 30 years old Lampard still has several quality years left in him, but Chelsea questions how long he will remain in his current form, and rightfully so. A five-year deal at £150,000 per week is very pricey for someone of his age.

Chelsea have come very close to his demands, offering just a year shy of his request. Despite that, Lampard has held out, increasing the speculation that he may not be a Chelsea player after 2009, or even in the next season.

Lampard clearly had a wonderful rapport with Jose Mourinho, and "The Special One" has made his desire to link with the player no secret. After Mourinho left the Blues in September many hard feelings were sure to be harbored in the minds of Chelsea players. This is not the first time that such things have occurred, and Lampard would surely be forgiven for feeling sorely.

Be that as it may, the time for Lampard to speak has come. By allowing the tabloid media (however terrible they are) to run rampant with speculation over his future, Lampard is hurting himself. His allowance has diminished the opinion of him.

As a Chelsea fan, I feel a bit betrayed by Lampard not accepting what would be the best weekly salary the club has ever offered. I agree with Sepp Blatter that if a player does not wish to remain with his current club he should be allowed to leave, even so, Lamps has never expressed desire to leave.

His silence serves to describe his desires, but the fact that he has not said anything makes it less honorable.

Do the right thing Frank, and let the fans know how you feel. Otherwise, you may not have those fans if you move to Milan.