Frank Lampard won’t be swapping one blue team for another it appears.
The former Chelsea star is currently playing for their title rivals Manchester City and is due to complete a big money switch to New York and the Major Soccer League in the summer.
However, the 36-year old has made no secret of his long-term political ambitions, though the £67,060 annual salary hardly compares to the £190,000 a week he currently banks.
Tory chiefs were reportedly keen for the footballer to fill the ultra safe Kensington & Chelsea seat that became free after Sir Malcolm Rifkind resigned following a cash for access scandal last week.
But he has turned down their approaches – while keeping his future options open, showing deft political as well as football skills.
In a 2013 interview, Lampard – who is engaged to television presenter Christine Bleakley – admitted he had previously voted for Tony Blair but remained a ‘conservative at heart’ – he even added he only read The Guardian at the dentist.
Other names linked to the plum constituency, which current boosts a healthy 8,600 Tory majority, are David Cameron’s influential speechwriter Clare Foges, his advisor on education Laura Trott and Victoria Borwick, London mayor Boris Johnson’s highly-rated deputy.
Also touted for the seat, previously occupied by colourful MPs Michael Portillo and Alan Clark, are Olympic rower James Cracknell – overlooked in selection races in Bexhill and Battle and in Uxbridge and South Ruislip – television journalist Jeremy Paxman and TV historian Dan Snow.
