IF Frank Lampard's Chelsea career is on its last legs then at least the midfielder is making the most of what little time he has left.
There are just four matches left to run in the Barclays Premier League this season, with the home fixture against Everton on May 19 attracting greater interest since it may come to resemble a lap of honour for Lampard.
The England midfielder is out of contract in May, 35 in June and is expected to be playing football elsewhere by the time the next season rolls around. Lampard has not been offered an extension to his deal and is not holding his breath about getting one.
That Chelsea would exhale with relief yesterday as he proved his talents have not been similarly curtailed seemed fitting then. Lampard spent the opening stages of a win over Swansea City being revered by both sets of fans – he had scored his first career goal while on loan at the Welsh club – and he would come to mark the occasion with his No.201 for Chelsea. That came from a penalty after 45 minutes and moved him to within one of the club record held by Bobby Tambling, who was in attendance.
"Frank is a great player," said Rafael Benitez, the Chelsea interim manager. "I'm really pleased he's scored another goal and hopefully he can score five between now and the end of the season and he'll be much happier and we will be the same."
It was a comment delivered with practised sincerity but which still seemed a little hollow since the Spaniard had only granted Lampard a place on the pitch when Ramires was forced off injured after 24 minutes. He waited just 19 before making a telling contribution; Lampard prodding a pass into the path of Oscar, who duly drilled a low shot into the far corner of the net.
Lampard was soon afforded a moment all of his own. Juan Mata was clipped from behind by Leon Britton, the Swansea midfielder, and the Chelsea talisman stepped up to thump in his 15th goal of the season. He pointed to the heavens in celebration, but he may also have been showing the way to the Champions League next term – with the Stamford Bridge club ensconced in third place, three points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur.
"When you have quality, you will always have it," said Michael Laudrup, the Swansea manager, of Lampard. "The thing is, even if we don't want to admit it, we all get older. Sometimes the pace is not the same, you can't do exactly the same things, but the quality is always there.
"We know Frank Lampard, the quality he has. Always coming there, from the second line into the box, so difficult to mark. He's scored so many goals."
Were he to get another one on Thursday then he could also help add a Europa League final to his supposed farewell tour. Chelsea face Basle in the second leg of their semi-final, a tie they lead 2-1. "He would like to play more games, but he understands the main thing is the team and to qualify for the Champions League," added Benitez.
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