After scoring England’s first match-winner against Brazil in 23 years, Frank Lampard was told by coach Roy Hodgson that moving to the United States could jeopardize his international prospects.
The 34-year-old midfielder has been informed by Chelsea that his contract won’t be extended when it expires at the end of the season.
But having already netted 11 goals for Chelsea this season, Lampard will not be short of offers as he plots his next move.
He has been persistently linked with a move to the Los Angeles Galaxy, the Major League Soccer club David Beckham left in December.
“I would rather hope that we will see him still, if not in England, in Europe because of course that will make my task a bit easier,” Hodgson said Wednesday after England’s 2-1 victory over Brazil.
“If he does follow David and goes further afield, that complicate matters … he of course understands that, the further afield you go, the more problematic it does become for the media to follow you, and the national team coach to follow you.”
But Hodgson insists that playing club football outside Europe “doesn’t necessarily mean that your career ends,” with Lampard hoping to reach a century of England appearances after netting his 27th international goal in his 94th match on Wednesday.
“I know he is going to have a lot of offers if Chelsea do decide they are prepared to let him go,” Hodgson said.
He believes Lampard can be the next England player to top 100 and wants him to continue inspiring his country right through to the World Cup in Rio in 2014.
“He was excellent,” Hodgson said of Lampard’s match-winning performance. “I think he can (reach 100).”
Lampard is yet to comment on his future beyond Chelsea, where he has been since 2001, and the London club could still respond to fan anger and reverse the decision not to offer a new contract.
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