AVB - Lamps here for long-term

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has rejected ongoing speculation that Frank Lampard could leave Stamford Bridge this month.

Blues boss plays down talk surrounding midfielder's future

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has rejected ongoing speculation that midfielder Frank Lampard could leave Stamford Bridge this month. The England international has been linked with a move away from the club during the current transfer window amid reports of a strained relationship between manager and player. West Ham, Paris St Germain and LA Galaxy have been touted as potential destinations for the 33-year-old, while Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed reports linking him with a Manchester United are unfounded.

Long-term

Blues boss Villas-Boas has denied any suggestion Lampard could be sold, saying: "He's going to be here for sure. "Yes, long-term." It is a similar story with the soon-to-be out of contract Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, who are both on African Cup of Nations duty with the Ivory Coast. "They will return to this club from the African Nations and hopefully we will hold on to them until the end of the season," added Villas-Boas. "That's our intention, and I think their willingness as well." Meanwhile, Villas-Boas has told his players it is time to stop talking about catching leaders Manchester City in the Premier League and start actually doing it. The manager admits if his side are to stand any chance of overhauling City, they need to strike while Roberto Mancini's men are in their worst shape of the season. City have lost three of their last four games in all competitions to offer Manchester United and Tottenham real hope of beating them to the title. Fourth-placed Chelsea will need City's 2012 slump to continue to close the 11-point gap between the sides, while embarking on the kind of winning run that has so far eluded them this season.

Problem

Villas-Boas said: "The problem is you have to show it on the pitch. "At the moment, we have exhausted ourselves in words. "It's time for us to get a practical run of victories to make our title challenge together. We are trying to begin that."