Chelsea Transfer News: Roberto Di Matteo Hopes Frank Lampard Stays at Chelsea

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has commented on Frank Lampard's contract situation at Chelsea. The Italian hopes a new deal can be agreed between the two parties and that the England international remains at the London club.

Lampard is entering the final year of his contract with the European champions, but a new deal with the club has not been negotiated.

The 34-year-old is more than happy to remain at Stamford Bridge, and Di Matteo is eager to wrap up a new deal to keep him at the club.

The Italian recently spoke of how important Lampard is to Chelsea and how happy he is with how the player is performing (via Sky Sports):

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There are talks between the club and player.

I've been very happy with Frank and he shows his qualities that he has in every game that he plays, so a very influential player within the group as well.

He's in good shape, he's not suffered any major injuries and he looks after himself. We've seen that many players who life a professional life can go on and play up to their late 30s.

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The manager also commented on the role that Lampard could play for Chelsea this season given the plethora of talent that exists within the Blues squad.

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I don't think we're going to change exactly everything there is about Frank and take his qualities away. We want to enhance his qualities within the team.

He certainly has a little bit of a different role but we're still wanting to do what is best for him, trying to go forward and he's got a good timing or arrival in the box and scores goals for us as well.

We have a lot of competition in midfield—that is very good—but we have a lot of games as well and competitions that we're going to be playing in. So there's time for everybody and that's the situation for all the players.

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Frank Lampard has seemingly already etched his name into the history books at Chelsea as one of the club's greatest servants. He has appeared nearly 400 times for the Blues in a career that has spanned over a decade at Stamford Bridge.

The experience and talent that he brings to any midfield—Chelsea or England—makes him one of the most valuable players in any team, and his age doesn't seem to be slowing him down or hindering him in any way, shape or form.

Having said that, Chelsea do have an embarrassment of riches in midfield, as Di Matteo alludes to. Over this year's summer transfer window alone, they have acquired Eden Hazard, Oscar and Marko Marin. That group of players joins existing talents Juan Mata and Ramires to create one of the deepest midfields in the English Premier League.

Lampard is therefore likely to see reduced minutes this season, as well as many different roles and positions throughout the year. This is something that should benefit the 34-year-old going forward. His body is older than the likes of Hazard and Oscar, which means that extra recovery time should make him more effective in the long run for Chelsea.

A player with the talent that Lampard has is always a valuable asset to any team. Di Matteo knows that and wants to keep the 34-year-old at the club for as long as he possibly can. Rightly so.

He is one of the greatest players Chelsea has ever had, as well as one of the best players in their current squad. With the backing of the players and management at Chelsea, watch out for a big year from Lampard in the English Premier League.

Again.

Would you keep Frank Lampard at Chelsea for as long as possible?

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