Chelsea Midfielder Frank Lampard Wants To Keep Playing Top Level Football Into His 40s

England international wants to emulate Giggs and Maldini.
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has revealed that he wants to continue playing football at the top level until his late 30s "at least".

The Chelsea midfielder turns 33 in June but feels that his advancing years will not hold back his attacking style of play and has highlighted the examples of Paulo Maldini and Ryan Giggs as examples of players he can follow.

"The way my body feels I'm certainly enjoying my football as much as I ever have," he told Champions magazine.

"I'm hoping I can stay at the top level until my late 30s at least and emulate Ryan Giggs and Paolo Maldini.

"Maldini played for Italy for many, many years and remained competitive at both club and international level.”

Lampard however has questioned whether he will be able to play at international level late in his career and thinks the amount of games played in the English season could determine when he retires.

"I guess there comes a time in your mid-to-late 30s when the question is, does your country still want you?" he added.

"Your ability to play 60 or 70 games a year changes - it's something you have to think about when the time comes."

The former West Ham man has also hit out at critics who believe many players are past it by the time they are in their thirties.

Lampard said: "In England people are very set in their ways and the pundits think the minute you turn 30 you are on your way to becoming over the hill. That's a very dated idea."