It does not feel too long ago that we were all questioning why Chelsea would let Frank Lampard leave as he managed to become the London club’s all-time top goal scorer, yet his future is being questioned again with his contract due to expire at the end of the season.
At 35 years of age and with an abject performance for England during the recent international break, Lampard’s international career is highly likely to end after next summer’s World Cup – if he even makes the plane – which could see his club career continue for a couple more years, but does he still offer enough to warrant an extended deal?
With younger players coming into the Chelsea side such as Oscar and Mata, we have seen Lampard play in a deeper role than usual in previous seasons and this has effected on his goal tally this season. Lampard’s two goals against West Ham at the weekend ended his run of 11 Premier League games without scoring – his longest goalless run in the league for a decade. Overall on Saturday though the English midfielder had 7 shots, 4 on target and created 4 chances alongside his two goals; whilst in total for the season the long serving Chelsea midfielder has 3 goals in the league from 10 shots on target. The seven shots Lampard had against West Ham were the highest amount of the campaign and his previous best (6) came on the opening weekend of the season which was not coincidental that was when he scored his last Premier League goal.
Below you’ll find Lampard’s creative and goal scoring stats so far this season which see Lampard as Chelsea’s 2nd most creative player behind Eden Hazard (created 25 chances) and joint most assists with Hazard too. Lampard’s two goals on the weekend also now put him into third place for top scorers within the Chelsea squad in the Premier League. Only Hazard and Oscar have scored more.
A back-up role predominantly on the bench doesn’t interest Lampard despite his age and he is still a permanent fixture in Mourinho’s side this season starting 10 out of 12 matches, whilst completing 90 minutes on 7 occasions.
His partnership with Ramires complements Lampard well so it is no surprise their record when playing alongside each other is impressive (W8 D3 L1), but the selection of Mikel on Saturday allowed Lampard more freedom and ability to get into the areas where he has done damage throughout his entire career.
If Lampard was to leave in the summer, it is unknown what his next career move will be after the Chelsea midfielder told the Fulham Chronicle, “Having been at Chelsea for 13 years now, I can’t quite see myself playing in the Premier League anywhere else.”
As it stands though with the right midfield partner playing beside him – Lampard can still offer Chelsea something fruitful and will have his say in the fortunes of the club’s season. Beyond that is uncertain, but as Lampard said himself, he’ll take it year by year and only focus on the present.
