|
|
I have no say in Lampard future, insists Chelsea interim boss Benitez
Dec 30, 2012 6:30:00 PM
The Spaniard says he is focused only on keeping the England midfielder fit and firing and revealed that Petr Cech has an ankle injury but refused to comment on Demba Ba
Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez says he is not involved in making a decision regarding the future of midfielder Frank Lampard, who netted two goals to help the Blues to a 2-1 victory against Everton on Sunday.Everton took the lead in the second minute through Steven Pienaar before Lampard scored a goal either side of half-time to seal the three points for Chelsea.
The 34-year-old is able to sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club from January but Benitez claims he is focused solely on keeping him fit and in form.
"My job is to keep Lampard fit," Benitez told Sky Sports. "He is under contract, fully committed and working hard and that is it.
"My job is to coach the players, and keep winning games and keep my opinion."
Despite the poor start at Goodison Park, Benitez was pleased to see continued progression from his team as they moved back into third place in the Premier League.
"We started the game making a couple of big mistakes and they were pushing really hard," he commented.
"But the players reacted, and that was good against very strong players who have been playing together for a long time under the same manager for ten years. That is a big advantage.
"Still we are making some mistakes but the team is getting better and the players are keen to learn, which is important."
Benitez said that the extent of the ankle injury to Petr Cech, who was substituted at half-time, is unknown, and that the goalkeeper will undergo a scan.
He refused to comment, meanwhile, on reports suggesting that representatives from the club will meet with Newcastle striker Demba Ba in order to tie up a January transfer for the Senegal international.
When asked if he could speak regarding Ba he replied: "No, because we don't talk about this business, we had a very important game today."
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets |
|
| Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached! |
|
| Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET! |
|
Related Stories
Inside Goal.Com
-
Why Real Madrid are appointing Ancelotti
After the decision to dispense with Jose Mourinho was announced on Monday, the Spanish side have set their sights on the PSG coach, and he looks like the ideal man for the job
-
-
AVB, Levy & Lewis to thrash out Tottenham plans
After missing out on a place in the Champions League, the north London side are devising a way to keep Gareth Bale at the club and attract new stars to White Hart Lane
-
Real Madrid are better off without Mourinho
The Portuguese's position had become untenable in recent weeks, especially after Friday's debacle in the Copa del Rey. Now he's leaving, but the club can grow stronger without him
-
Bayern's jinx - CL final referee Nicola Rizzoli
Goal takes a look at the career of the Italian arbiter to date following Uefa's decision to appoint the 41-year-old for Saturday's showpiece at Wembley
