'Important' Lampard still has a Chelsea future

Roberto Di Matteo has moved to quash speculation regarding Frank Lampard, insisting the midfielder still has a part to play at Stamford Bridge. The 34-year-old missed out on a starting place during the Blues recent win over Arsenal having missed the mid-week victory over Wolves in the Capital One Cup.

Reports suggest Lampard is set to play fewer games as he enters the final year of his contract, but Di Matteo has told Sky Sports that the England international still has a big part to play at the club. The Italian insists that, due to his age, the Chelsea stalwart must adapt from a box-to-box midfielder to an anchorman.

It remains to be seen whether Lampard starts Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Nordsjaelland on Tuesday night as the defending champions look to pick up their first win of the competition having sacrificed a two-goal lead against Juventus at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago.