Chelsea's midfielder Frank Lampard thinks he can still play at the top level for a few more years, but his time at Stamford Bridge seems to be numbered as the club has not talked about extending his contract which ends this season.
The 34-year-old England midfielder has been playing with Chelsea for the last 11 years and helped the Blues win many titles including the Champions League this year, but his age has become a concern.
It was reported that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has asked the management to extend the contract by only one year to players above 30 years of age, and Didier Drogba was one of the victims.
"Nothing has been said," the Chelsea vice-captain told reporters after Thursday's 3-1 victory over Mexican side Monterrey in the Club World Cup semi-finals.
"Talks about a one-year extension, a two-year extension, don't exist. The ball is in Chelsea's court," said Lampard. "Whatever happens I've had a great time with Chelsea - maybe things don't last forever. Although I want it to last forever, you have to be big enough to know what the situation is," he added.
He said that he is not one to warm the bench. "I'm not the kind of player to just see out my time and sit on the bench. I want to be involved. That's my character. I will keep trying to do that whatever the circumstances," he said.
He didn't rule out the rumours that he would move to a club in China and Los Angeles Galaxy.
"I can't predict anything. But I feel like I have two or three years at least in me at the top level. It's not for me to decide this one, it's up to the club. I am determined to play for a few more years and see what pans out in the near future," Reuters quoted him as saying.
Another player who could leave Chelsea is left back Ashley Cole, who also crossed 30 years of age. It is rumoured that the defender, who has been with the Blues since 2006, could consider joining Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United after his contract ends this season.
Meanwhile, Rafa Benitez, the new manager of Chelsea, has hinted that Lampard and Cole could leave the club.
"I think so, that is the case at the moment. I am only here for seven months. If it is for two or three years then maybe I would have an influence. Sometimes you are in a difficult position as manager because there's too much to decide on, so it's better to have a technical director sometimes," Benitez told the Daily Mail when asked if the career of the duo at Chelsea could come to an end.
"I spent two or three hours with the owner, we talked about everything. He knows my ideas, but we didn't have that much time together. Maybe we will in future. If you have confidence in yourself and explain yourself, everyone can understand. My impression with the owner is he's a nice person. You can talk with him and he understands. He likes to see you have a clear idea: I think it's black and white with him," he added.
