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Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has expressed a desire to stay at Stamford Bridge beyond his current contract deal.
Even though there are 18 months left in his Blues contract, Lampard wants to be a part of Chelsea’s long-term plan following a successful transitional campaign with the West Londoners last season.
The 42-year-old penned a 3-year-deal with the Blues back in July 2019 and against all odds, the former Derby manager secured Champions League qualification and a place in FA Cup final in his debut season at the Bridge.
Lampard, who spent whopping £220m in the summer to overhaul the Chelsea squad, has started the season on a high as the Blues are now on a 15-match unbeaten streak and have already qualified for Champions League RO16.
While speaking ahead of the home clash against historical rivals Leeds United, Lampard said: “Now I feel like I would love to be part of the long-term plan here. The signings we made in the summer, other than probably Thiago Silva particularly were signings for now and the future. Players that are going to progress and who will mature, and, of course, I would love to be part of that.”
The 39-year-old admitted that he was near to quit football due to family reasons, but the former Manchester United striker changed his mind after a long discussion with AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli.
“[Milan manager Stefano] Pioli asked me what I wanted to do. I replied: ‘No, I am not going to continue. Enough. My family is also important, I’m here alone, and it’s a sacrifice. For six months it’s fine, but I don’t want to stay another year.” Ibrahimovic told Sky Sport Italia.
After leaving LA Galaxy back in 2019, the Swedish striker returned to Serie A with former club AC Milan. And the former Barcelona man is in red hot form since the start of the 2020/21 season, scoring 11 times in 10 appearances for Rossoneri.
But in the end, Ibrahimovic decided to stay put on his retirement plan as his goal-scoring form has lifted Milan to the top spot in Serie A. “Then something changed. I didn’t want to have any regrets. I called Milan and decided to go on. But at first, I decided: ‘No, I won’t stay next year.” Zlatan told Sky.
Former Gunner player Patrick Vieira lasted two-and-a-half years in France as Ligue 1 outfit parted ways with the 44-year-old.
Nice informed Arsenal icon about the sacking following their Europa League 3-2 defeat against Bayern Leverkusen, which eliminated any chance for Ligue 1 outfit to qualify for UEL round of 16.
Thursday night’s defeat was the fifth consecutive loss for OGC Nice, who are sitting 11th in Ligue 1 with 17 points
The ex-Arsenal midfielder was one of the greatest midfielders the Premier League has ever produced and the French international captained Gunner’s side that went undefeated in PL 2003/04 season. Vieira, who led North London club to 3 Premier League titles, couldn’t carry the same impact at a managerial level with Nice.
Vieira joined the French club in 2018 and guided them to a fifth-place finish in the league last season. But a row of a disappointing result, especially a 3-1 loss against bottom side Dijon, forced fans to boycott the manager.
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