Frank Lampard is ready to commit the rest of his career to Chelsea after admitting he is in love with the club and that he wants to stay at Stamford Bridge for another “six or seven years”.

Lampard, 29, has 18 months to run on his current contract and talks over a new deal had been put on hold. But the England midfielder’s latest comments should reassure Avram Grant, the manager, that one of his prised assets is not holding out for a big money move abroad and will sign a new contract at some stage.

The former West Ham United player joined Chelsea in 2001 and blossomed under Jose Mourinho, winning two Premier League titles as well as the FA and League Cups.

“I just want to do one thing and that is stay at this club for the rest of my career,” Lampard said. “On a scale of one to 10, Chelsea is a 10 for me in terms of importance and I’m not just saying that. Everyone around me knows how much Chelsea means to me. In my life my family comes first but Chelsea comes second.

“I don’t think I will receive the love I get from the Chelsea fans anywhere else. I feel strongly about it and I’d love to have another six or seven years of it. I’m at a club I love and living in an area I love."

Lampard, who has scored 99 goals for Chelsea, has no intention of discussing a new contract with Peter Kenyon, the chief executive, at present because he doesn’t want to be distracted from helping his club’s challenge for honours.

“Nothing has changed since the club and I decided that we wouldn’t talk until the end of the season,” he said. “But I don’t want the fans to think there is anything sinister about it because I’m desperate to get it done.

“I see that Peter Osgood is on 150 goals for the club and I’d love to get to that level. I think I will carry on playing until I am around 35. I like to think I’m pretty fit and don’t rely on pace to get me through a game. Plus I will keep improving the more experience I get."