Blues keep focus on pitch

CHELSEA stars John Terry and Frank Lampard are determined to ensure their contract problems do not overshadow the club’s fight for silverware.

Terry and Lampard are trying to negotiate long-term extensions to their contracts. The club have yet to make a formal offer to Lampard while Terry is unhappy with the length of the contract offer, reduced from nine years to five.

The delay sparked speculation they could quit the club in the summer. Chelsea’s Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien on Monday signed a five-year extension worth £90,000-a-week and Lampard is keen to ensure loyalty shown by he and Terry is rewarded.

Lampard said: “If there are any two players who have got the best interests of this club in their hearts it is me and John. The contract situation is not a distraction and it is important it doesn’t get talked about too much. Me and John don’t like to see it and the fans don’t like to see it.”

Both are reaching the final two years of their Stamford Bridge deals. They want parity with top earners Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko, both earning around £130,000-a-week.

Chelsea’s injury nightmare has struck again as Shevchenko limped out of training and is a major doubt for tonight’s clash against Manchester City. Chelsea will reduce Manchester United’s lead to six points at the top of the Premiership if they can beat City.