Chelsea Transfer News: Frank Lampard Set To Leave For Monaco?
Frank Lampard will leave Chelsea after being told he will not be offered a new contract at the club.
Daily Mail. Ranieri first signed Lampard back in 2001, when he took the midfielder from West Ham to Chelsea for £11million and although Lampard went on to enjoy over a decade at Stamford Bridge, Ranieri would not be quite so fortunate, as he was sacked by Roman Abramovic when he took over the club in 2004. Lampard has become something of a peripheral figure at Chelsea these days. The 34 year old's best days are behind him, and he was informed he would not be offered a new contract by the club recently. This has opened the door for Lampard to seek a new club, and it is understood Ranieri, who took charge of Monaco in May, will make an offer for Lampard's services should Chelsea signal they are indeed ready to let him leave. Limited to just 14 appearances in all competitions so far this season, he started the final of the Club World Cup against Corinthians and captained the team in the absence of John Terry in what could be one of his last appearances for a club where he has won three Premier League titles. Meanwhile, defender Ashley Cole looks set to follow Lampard out of the Stamford Bridge exit after new interim manager Rafa Benitez announced the pair could leave. Only John Terry would be left remaining of the Chelsea "old guard" should the duo leave, signaling the end of an era at the Bridge. For the time being though, Lampard, who has scored 189 times for Chelsea, is focusing on the here and now. Before flying back from Japan in the wake of his sides Club World Cup defeat, the midfielder emphasised Chelseas need to get their domestic season back on track, starting with the Capital One Cup quarter-final tie at Leeds tomorrow.
"We have to pick it up for Leeds. We have to go there and stand up and get our form back at home. Win this and were in the semi-final and with the possibility of a decent draw but we've got to win the games. Its tough to go to Elland Road. Theres a rivalry. Were aware of it and we have to play with passion and do the physical side of things. "Theyre going to be right at it. We cant expect to go up there and tap it around and get a result."Stay tuned for team news and previews ahead of the game tomorrow.