http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ryan-Giggs-c31985
Chelsea midfielder http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Frank-Lampard-c14097 revealed he was looking to continue playing on like Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs, who is 37 years old. At only 33 years, Lampard has been told he is too old to retain a regular place in the starting XI at both
club and country.
However, Lampard’s performance for the Blues recently states otherwise; the midfielder went on to score a hat-trick in the weekend fixture against Bolton Wanderers. His contribution helped Chelsea secure a comfortable 5-1 win over the Trotters on Sunday
at the Reebok Stadium.
He admitted he had been told he was too old, but did not feel any different from a few seasons ago. The English midfielder believed he could go on playing top level football with the Blues and hoped to show similar performances in the upcoming fixtures.
Lampard said while speaking to reporters:
“People talk about age but I feel good, as good as I have ever felt.
With experience, it is even easier to manage yourself through a season and week to week. Hopefully I can keep doing what I did against Bolton.”
While he admitted he had initially been annoyed with people telling him he was too old, but revealed that he did not let it bother him anymore. Having previously been left on the bench by manager Andre Villas-Boas in the earlier matches, Lampard has more
than proved he belongs in the starting XI.
In addition to his hat-trick against Bolton Wanderers, it was Lampard who scored against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valencia-c40863 in the UEFA Champions League fixture in mid-week. Though the La Liga outfit scored an equalizer, Chelsea came away with a crucial point because of Lampard’s
goal.
The Chelsea vice-captain admitted he looked up to Giggs, the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wales-c3041 international, who has not retired from club football despite being 37 years old. The Manchester United midfielder has remained consistent, which is why he has managed to retain his
place in the team.
The Blues midfielder continued:
“Everybody gets that, being told 'You're too old'. Probably the first few times it annoys you, then you realise that is just the way it is.
At 25, you don't get that, you've just had a bad game. But at 30-plus you're too old.
The only way to stay away from that is to keep playing well. That is why Giggs plays comfortably until he is 37 - because he consistently plays well.”
Having made it clear that he wished to follow in Giggs footsteps, it does not seem Lampard will be retiring from club or country football any time soon. He has been consistent for the Blues over the last few seasons, other than a long-term injury last season,
but seems to have returned to his former self this season.
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