Frank Lampard has told Chelsea he wants his future sorted out as the club continue to stall over a new contract.
The England midfielder is running out of patience over his contract situation, which could remain in limbo until the summer.
Lampard, who scored four goals in Chelsea's 6-1 demolition of Derby last night, insists he wants to stay at Stamford Bridge but is perplexed by the fact no offer has been made.
"I've been approached a few times by the club saying they are going to come to me with something and they haven't," declared Lampard.
"That means they're saying they will have to wait until the summer and I don't really know what that means. I said at the beginning of the season I didn't want to talk about my contract because I wanted to concentrate on my football.
"They have made contact but it hasn't been with any news. They've been saying that something is going to happen but if we wait until the summer and nothing happens, then I've got a year left, which is not a position I want to be in.
"I've made it clear I want to stay here and I want to know what's going on. I love playing for this club, I'm enjoying the greatest days of my career.
"Every time I run out for the club I don't think about the contract but when I am at home I would like it to be sorted out.
"It's dragged on this season and that's not ideal for me."
Lampard's change of emphasis on his contract situation will throw the spotlight back on the club's plans.
Coach Avram Grant refuses to talk about his contract negotiations, saying it is not his area.
Grant believes Lampard will stay but Chelsea are in danger of losing one of their biggest assets if they do not open negotiations before the end of the season.
Lampard took his goal tally for the club to an amazing 107 in almost seven years with his four-goal haul as Chelsea's victory over Derby put them right back in the title race.
They are now just five points behind leaders Arsenal with a game in hand.
Both Arsenal and second-placed Manchester United are still to visit Stamford Bridge and those games are likely to have a major bearing on the destination of the Premier League crown.
Lampard became the first Chelsea player to score four goals in a game since Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink eight years ago.
The player's goal return from midfield has been phenomenal but he admits he found it hard to hit the net when he first arrived from West Ham as a replacement for crowd favourite Gus Poyet.
"It was a difficult first season when I arrived but there were a few goals that were important to me," said Lampard.
"Looking back it was a great building block to get me where I am now.
"When I signed I knew I needed to score goals for the club and it was a nice pressure to have as I think it spurred me on a little bit.
"My first couple of seasons were a bit quiet on the goal front but the last few have been very prolific.
"I was out in Wimbledon with some friends shortly after joining the club when some Chelsea supporters recognised me. They started asking me how many goals I was going to score for the club and if I thought I could do well at Stamford Bridge.
"Of course I was confident and told the fans they wouldn't be disappointed but I never expected to get 100 goals during my time here.
"I think it has been made easier because I have had the fans behind me from day one.
"They have always supported me and it's been excellent. We have a special relationship and it is something I appreciate.
"It's the first time I've scored four at the top level and it feels very nice to do it - especially from midfield."
Lampard has won back-to-back Premier League titles, two Carling Cups and an FA Cup during his time at the club but out of all his goals there are two that stand out - the double that earned Chelsea the title with a 2-0 win at Bolton in 2005.
"Other than the birth of my two children, that day was the best day of my life," said Lampard.
"Just hearing the commentary gives me goosebumps let alone watching them. It was just a special day all round, for the club, for the fans, everything was meant to be that day. It is something that will live with me forever, it was amazing."
source : www.sportinglife.com
