Lampard: Staying with Chelsea

Knowing the relationship I had with the club and the support I had in difficult times, it made me realise this is where I want to be.

Frank Lampard.
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Frank Lampard expects to end his career with Chelsea after signing a new five-year contract with the club.

The England midfielder ended months of speculation over his future when he put pen to paper on the new long-term deal at Stamford Bridge.

Inter Milan, under the guidance of former Blues boss Jose Mourinho, had one bid rejected this summer and will now have to look elsewhere for midfield reinforcements.

Lampard said: "I spent a lot of time with my family, thought thoroughly about what I wanted to do, and now I've come back for pre-season, we've had a few conversations in the last couple of weeks, particularly since I've been back from China.

"I've had seven fantastic years here so far and now I have the potential to hopefully have another five fantastic years and finish my career here.

"Whether that is five years or more I don't know, but that is me happy and staying here at Chelsea."

Compromise

Lampard was always pushing for a five-year deal and feels he can compete at the top all the way until 2013.

He added: "When you are going into a negotiation the financial aspect is something you take into account, that is pretty normal.

"Thankfully we've been able to sit down and compromise a little bit, on both sides, and get it done.

"It was quite well documented about whether it was four or five years. I'm very pleased I signed a five-year deal because I feel I have many years to come - even though I've just turned 30 I don't think about the end.

"I think about these five years and maybe more after that. Maybe it was a case of us both sitting down and realising what we both wanted to do.

"I feel these will be my best years. I've never been a player relying on pace or the things that can change with age."

Never forget

The 30-year-old revealed his delight at staying alongside those who rallied around him when his mother, Pat, passed away in April from pneumonia.

Chelsea players paid tribute to Lampard's mother during the victory over Manchester United when they displayed a shirt with her name.

"What my team-mates did for me at the end of last season, on the pitch against Manchester United and many things off the pitch after that, is something I will never forget," Lampard said.

"Forget football, that was something very special. You don't want to leave those lads or lose those lads, they'll always be close to my heart because of that. I've very happy to stay among them.

"Knowing the relationship I had with the club and the support I had in difficult times, it made me realise this is where I want to be."