Chelsea have reportedly refused to extend Frank Lampard’s current contract and has asked the midfielder to look for a new club.

It was only three days back that Frank Lampard marked his 500th start for the Blues with a thumping goal, captaining his side to an 8-0 victory over Aston Villa and receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. He is a club legend in true sense of the word.

For Frank Lampard, this is his 12th season as a Chelsea player, since he joined the London club from West Ham back in 2001. In this twelve years Chelsea has evolved from a mid-table club to a club which won the Champions League last season.

Lampard has seen this club evolve and among all the changes that Stamford Bridge has gone through, he (along with John Terry) has been one of the few constants.

But it seems the club’s management has turned a blind eye towards the royal service that the 34-year-old has provided over the years. Chelsea has reportedly asked Lampard to leave in January.

According to reports in the Sun, a source close to the club has revealed that Frank Lampard has been left ‘distraught’ by the club’s decision. The England international loved this club and wanted to see out his career at Stamford Bridge. But now the club has forced him to consider his future elsewhere after they refused to extend his current contract which expires at the end of this season.

The unnamed source was quoted in the Sun:

“Frank is absolutely distraught.

“He wants to keep playing for Chelsea but they’ve told him to find another club in the January transfer window.

“He can’t believe it. All he wants to do is play for Chelsea. This club means everything to him.

“Frank worships the club — and especially the fans — and would happily have seen out his career at Stamford Bridge.

“After everything he has done for Chelsea, he cannot believe the way the club are throwing him out so callously.

“Anyone who saw his performance against Aston Villa will know he should be the first name on the team sheet.

“To think he went into that game knowing the club don’t want him and then to play the way he did tells you what an unbelievable professional Frank is.”

MLS would eagerly welcome Lampard to their shores, but it would be interesting to see if Lampard considers other offers in England and Europe.

It was earlier reported that former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri is eager for a reunion with the midfielder at French club Monaco, while QPR, Manchester United, Arsenal and his former club West Ham are keeping a close eye on his situation.

Where ever Lampard decides to go next, the fact remains that Chelsea’s decision to treat a club legend with such contempt will certainly not go down well with the fans.