Steve Kutner said that the club had been clear after the recent 2-1 win over Everton, when Lampard scored twice, that no new deal would be offered.

"Chelsea executives told Frank in Japan during the Club World Cup, then again reconfirmed with me after the Everton victory [both in December], that in no circumstances will he be offered a new contract to stay at the club after the end of this season," said Kutner.

"Nothing since has changed in any respect. Frank has had to accept that and just wants to carry on playing football for Chelsea so as to finish the season as successfully as possible for the club that he loves."