Chelsea’s Frank Lampard says there is no sign of a contract extension at Stamford Bridge despite his good form.
The 34-year-old midfielder, whose present deal expires in the summer, is free to agree pre-contract terms with a foreign club in January.
“We haven’t been talking about a new contract in the last couple of weeks,” Lampard said after scoring both Chelsea goals in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Everton.
“At the moment nothing has been said and my contract is up in the summer.”
Lampard’s double in the Blues’ win at Goodison Park means he is just one short of second-placed Kerry Dixon’s 193 strikes in the club’s all-time goal-scoring standings, with Bobby Tambling’s club record of 202 goals 10 away.
Assured of a place in the Chelsea history books, Lampard has done his best over recent games to prove that he has a part to play in their future as well, scoring on each of his last three Premier League starts.
He insists that he is happy as part of a team that have won their last four games in the Premier League under the guidance of interim manager Rafael Benitez.
“I’m enjoying playing, I’m working hard in training, I’m loving being part of the team,” he added.
“That is all I can tell you for the minute and that is enough for me I am happy with that – to keep playing well and to contribute to days like today.”
Benitez, who took charge in late November after the dismissal of Roberto Di Matteo, could offer no reassurance that a new deal would be forthcoming for Lampard.
“My job is to keep Lampard fit. He is a good player. He is under contract, fully committed and working hard and that is the way. We cannot say too much about this,” Benitez said.
The Spaniard, who said in November that he thought both Lampard and left-back Ashley Cole would depart at the end of the season,indicated that he would not have the final decision over which players join or leave his squad in January.
“My job is to win games, coach the players properly, and keep my opinion if I have to give my opinion,” he added. “The key part is to improve the players on the pitch.”
