Lamps a shining light for Chelsea players, says Terry

CHELSEA captain John Terry insists Frank Lampard has set an example to everyone at the club and branded his goalscoring exploits as “unbelievable” as the club continue to negotiate with the player over a new deal.

Lampard was handed glowing plaudits from the England skipper as the midfielder rejected suggestions he will buy himself out of his contract and quit the club in the summer.

The 28-year-old can invoke a FIFA rule and buy himself out of his current deal for around £8 million but the former West Ham midfielder insists he has no intention of doing so and wants to continue working with coach Jose Mourinho.

Lampard has been linked with moves to Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona but says he wants to remain a Chelsea player, and Terry, whose own future remains uncertain, knows exactly why the club should do everything in its power to keep him.

Terry declared: “I’ve got to give a big, big shout to Lamps. He just keeps doing it.

“He got his 20th goal of the season at Man City and that’s the second season in a row he’s done it. For a midfielder to do that is unbelievable. But it’s not just those two years. His last four years he’s scored 15, 19, 20, and 20 so far. That doesn’t just happen. It’s come from hard work, shooting practice and extra fitness work. He’s an example to us all.”

Lampard has yet to receive a formal contract extension offer from Chelsea but is in no mood to leave and certainly won’t be taking up the option to buy his way out.

Lampard said: “As far as the FIFA rule is concerned, of course I am aware of it. The fact is that it’s not relevant. I have two years left on my contract and I want to stay and sign a new one.

“I want to stay at Chelsea. I have never wanted to leave the club and I don’t intend to. I have everything I want in life where I am right now. For the past six years my life has been my family and Chelsea football club. Some players can say that and it sounds clichéd or fake.

“I can say it because it is absolutely true. I am very proud I play for Chelsea and of what I have achieved as part of the team. I value my relationship with the supporters very highly and they have become part of my football family. I know that when I am older and have finished my career I will sit among the fans and support Chelsea with them.”

Lampard revealed that negotiations were ongoing between Chelsea and his agent Steve Kutner, and that he was not worried by the delay in receiving a proper offer from the club.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Petr Cech has spoken about the injury that left Sheffield United striker Rob Hulse with a double fracture of the leg during the first half of Chelsea’s 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge.

Cech, himself a victim of serious injury this season, collided with Hulse, who was trying to get on the end of a cross from Keith Gillespie.

The Czech international missed three months of the season after fracturing his skull against Reading and was very concerned for the welfare of Hulse.

Cech said: “When I went for the ball, we hit each other and I knew it was a strong hit.

“Of course it was an accident but it is always sad when you see a fellow professional football player injured on the pitch. It was very unlucky to get injured from this challenge.”