Chelsea news: Blues boss Antonio Conte refuses to rule out coaching role for Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge
CHELSEA boss Antonio Conte has refused to rule out Frank Lampard potentially returning to Chelsea as a coach - if he decides to stop playing.
The 38-year-old left MLS side New York City FC this week and is currently weighing up whether to add an extra year to his playing career.
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It is believed Lampard has options to play in Europe as well as Stateside, with Orlando City and LA Galaxy interested.
But the report there is still a fair chance he will instead move into coaching and Chelsea are said to want him back at the club if that occurs.
He was also rumoured to have been offered the vacant manager's job at MK Dons, which he turned down - as Steven Gerrard is among the front runners to be installed at Stadium: MK.
And he could also go to the FA, who reportedly want Gerrard and Lampard to work within Gareth Southgate’s coaching team.
It would be a wildly popular move, given he played 648 games across 13 successful years at Stamford Bridge.
Therefore, it would be a tempting option for Lampard, even though former England star has not yet announced his retirement.
Conte was coy on the matter, but did not rule it out. He said: "Frank Lampard has been a great player, a fantastic player for Chelsea. He won a lot with this team.
"But now for me he’s still playing and for this reason I don’t know his future. I repeat: he has been a fantastic player, a legend for this club. I have great respect for him.
"For me it’s very difficult to reply to the question when the question starts ‘if’. It’s important to know."
Conte's side face Middlesbrough today with his side having played magnificently in recent weeks, winning five straight Premier League games, scoring 16 and conceding none.
And Conte will be boosted by Eden Hazard being declared fit for the trip after he limped out of Belgium’s fixture with Estonia in the international break.