Chelsea beat Benfica 2-1 in Amsterdam
Frank Lampard lifted the Europa League for Chelsea in Amsterdam last night – after revealing he is close to signing a new contract to keep him at the Blues.
Chelsea beat Benfica 2-1 thanks to a Fernando Torres strike and a late Branislav Ivanovic header to secure back-to-back European trophies.
And Lampard admitted he wants to stay on after much speculation about his future in recent months.
“I really hope to stay,” said the club’s all-time leading scorer.
“With the game tonight and the game coming up on Sunday, we haven’t sat down and completed on it.
“But I hope so. We’re getting there and the club have been brilliant.
“The big ups are nights like this. It was a bit tight at times but you know the desire in this team – we’ve shown it time and time again.”
Boss Rafa Benitez admitted he was incredibly proud of his players as he claimed his fourth European trophy adding to previous successes with Valencia and Liverpool.
He said: “The players have worked so hard all season. I am proud because it was not easy. I’m really pleased.
“That was a great performance in the second half against a very good team.”
Benitez will be very likely be leaving after Sunday’s game against Everton, citing a possible return to Serie A where he once managed Inter Milan.
“I think Italy is a good country for football where journalists know about football and that is important,” he added.
Photo courtesy of Александр Мысякин, with thanks.
