Lampard won't leave Chelsea
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard will not be allowed to quit the Barclays Premiership champions to join Barcelona, according to Jose Mourinho.
The Chelsea boss believes the club will offer Lampard a dream deal which will tie him to the club for the rest of his career in a bid to warn off increasing interest in his talents from Europe.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are just two of the clubs who have kept a close watch on the progress of the England midfielder over the last two seasons.
Lampard has three years left to run on his current Stamford Bridge contract and the player insists he has no desire to leave west London.
"I believe before his contract ends, Chelsea will offer him an agreement until the end of his career," said Mourinho.
"I don`t think there is any chance of Frank joining Barcelona.
"He has the kind of deal which I doubt any club in the world could beat. We don`t need to sell players and he loves Chelsea.
"I would not change him for anyone. His performances from the beginning to the end in any circumstances are incomparable."
Mourinho also made it clear that he wants to keep versatile French defender William Gallas who has been consistently linked with Juventus.
But the Portuguese coach is adamant that he will remain a Chelsea player and singled the Frenchman out for individual praise.
"Gallas is an amazing and consistent player, who can operate in any position in defence," added Mourinho. "Within our defence, he is the one I have picked, plus three others."
Mourinho will rest a clutch of his regular first team players against Huddersfield in the FA Cup on Saturday and could blood new signing Maniche.
Maniche completed his loan deal from Dynamo Moscow on Wednesday and could begin his career in England against the League One opposition.
Lampard and skipper John Terry, along with goalkeeper Petr Cech, are almost certain to be missing with German international Robert Huth replacing Terry and Maniche possibly pencilled in to replace Lampard.
Mourinho believes Maniche will turn out to be the last piece of his midfield jigsaw this season.
"With [Claude] Makelele, [Frank] Lampard, [Michael] Essien, the kid [Lassana] Diarra and the adaptation of Joe Cole or Eidur Gudjohnsen if necessary, Maniche will be the final piece in the stability of the central zone," said Mourinho.
Chelsea are still waiting to hear the extent of the damage to Michael Essien`s ankle but if it responds quickly to treatment, he may yet join up with Ghana for the African Nations Cup despite Mourinho`s hint that he would miss out.
Striker Hernan Crespo is also doubtful for the FA Cup clash with Town and England Under-21 international Carlton Cole could be handed a place in the starting line-up if Gudjohnsen retains his current midfield role.
Cole said: "I`m at my peak training-wise. I feel I`m fit. All I lack now is match sharpness. Hopefully I`ll make an impact the next time I get my chance."
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