Former Chelsea midfielder, Frank Lampard, has revealed that he has “turned down a few Premier League offers”, but insists he is not quite ready to hang up his boots.
The 38-year-old left New York City FC at the end of the 2016 Major League Soccer season.
His former England team-mate, Steven Gerrard, also quit playing when his deal with LA Galaxy expired at the same time, but Lampard is still weighing his options.
“I see you, Rio [Ferdinand] and Stevie [Gerrard], all retired,” Lampard said in an interview with former England teammate and ex-Liverpool defender, Jamie Carragher.
“There is a part of me that wants to stay in the game. Sometimes I don’t know why. It just feels this is what I do.
“I’ve had two months off now. It takes me six weeks to relax and realise I haven’t got to train every day and think about the pressures.
“Stevie made up his mind and was comfortable finishing the way he did. I wasn’t sure. I loved being in America. It was a great experience. People will be drawn to China because of the money but the lifestyle, everything about America, I couldn’t recommend it enough.
“But in terms of not retiring? I don’t want to leave and think to myself, ‘Maybe I should have stayed a bit longer.’ I’m dwelling on it. I have turned down a few Premier League offers. But the fact is, after being at Chelsea for so long and a year with Manchester City, I don’t want to get involved in a relegation dogfight.
“I don’t mind challenges but there comes a point when you have to take stock. I understand my weaknesses. It’s late January now and to try and get fit and then get into a team and make a massive impact … I don’t feel I could give enough.
“I just want to make sure I make the right decision. I’ve appreciated getting options at 38. If something comes along that floats my boat, who knows? But nothing has, so we will see.”
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