Frank Lampard snubs Newcastle and Brighton as he opens door to Chelsea return as a player

Frank Lampard is keen on a playing return to Chelsea

FRANK LAMPARD has delivered a 'come and get me' plea to his beloved Chelsea.

He has delayed any decision on his future until next January in the hope that his former club will offer him a role - on or off the field.

Brighton and Newcastle had both hoped the 38-year-old former England legend would end his playing career with them.

But Chelsea's all-time record goalscorer, now a free agent after leaving New York City FC, has admitted his heart remains at Stamford Bridge.

He said: "I'm still waiting for the five-year contract to come through from Chelsea, but they haven't called yet! We used to get those easily!

"Myself and John [Terry] are Chelsea through and through. Whatever happens, I will be at Chelsea in some capacity, whether that's with my season ticket watching them or otherwise. I just don't know.

"I will be in very close contact, whether I have a role, that's not all in my hands so I can't go any further than that.

"I am very relaxed about it, which is a nice place to be. I'm not kind of eager that the end of my career is coming and thinking, 'What's going to happen now?'

"I'm relaxed and if the right thing comes, then I'll take it. Obviously Chelsea, I would love that, but it doesn't always work that way.

"I've taken this Christmas to enjoy family, a couple of beers and an extra turkey and I'll make a decision in January whether I carry on playing - I have a few options - or finish and move on to whatever the next thing will be."