However, amid speculation that Lampard could move to Manchester United, LA Galaxy and numerous others, Roman Abramovich has delayed the stalwart’s departure for another 12 months.

Given how late Chelsea have left it, and the fact that Lampard was free to sign a pre-contract agreement with any other club, the odds with Unibet were shortening on the player leaving Stamford Bridge in the summer.

Abramovich will more than likely splash the cash this summer and has a transfer policy aimed at youth, however the decision to keep Lampard at the club looks like a good one.

It is fair to say that the veteran, who will be 35 at the start of next season, has not played as essential a role at the club over the last two seasons.

He was once undroppable and one of the first names on the Chelsea team sheet, however now he must compete with the likes of Ramires, Jon Obi Mikel and David Luiz for a starting berth in the centre of the park.

Despite Lampard now being subject to a squad rotation system, the influential midfielder has ended up as the club’s top scorer in the Premier League this term with 15 goals to date. His ability to inject some urgency and energy to the side’s midfield has not diminished with age, and his leadership ability is there for all to see.

Don’t be surprised should Chelsea sign a big-name central midfield player this summer, which may limit Lampard’s opportunities to play further. However, keeping the veteran at the club is a sensible move. Chelsea have a number of exciting youngsters coming through the ranks, none more promising than Nathaniel Chalobah, who will benefit from Lampard’s presence should he return to the club from his loan spell at Watford.

Lampard’s influence extends further than his role on the pitch, and the rest of the Chelsea squad look up to the long-termer for direction. Had Lampard moved to Manchester United, which was being suggested in some avenues of the press, Chelsea would have lost one of their main men, and subsequently strengthened a title rival.

Frank Lampard‘s history at the club was enough to warrant a contract extension, but it is more than sentimentality that keeps his in west London. With new and young players forming the guts of Chelsea’s title challenge next term, the club will be glad to have Mr Dependable there to count on.

“The reaction persists and, in France, it has been predominantly negative to the point where I find it almost pretentious,” he says, of the country of his birth. “To say that players should not appreciate the context in which they operate is stupid. Football is like a business now. In England, it’s more objective. People are more cool about players earning millions. It’s also not whether they agree with what I say, it’s that there is a respect for the fact I was man enough to say it. I must say, as well, that I have seen quite a few Spurs players kiss the badge and then fuck off. I am still here. What sort of mercenary stays for seven years? There is a part of me now that has a strong bond with the club. I would be quite happy to see out my playing career here, although I know that it’s not my call to make. I have every desire to see out my contractual obligations and, if possible, extend so that I can be here for long enough to play at the new stadium.”

Emmanuel Eboue spent seven years at Arsenal FC before he was sold to Galatasaray. With his career in North London coming to an end, Eboue kissed the badge after scoring against Blackpool. However, during the summer he lost his squad number to new signing Gervinho and moved to Turkey. Two months after joining his new club he kissed their badge.

Bastian Schweinsteiger joined Bayern Munich when he was 14-years-old and has spent his entire playing career there. In 2010, following speculation that he was going to leave his boyhood club for a big money move abroad, Schweinsteiger took to the microphone following Bayern Munich’s victory over St Pauli to reveal he had signed a new six year deal.

“I have extended my contract and will stay here until 2016. Long live Bayern.”

Thiago Silva spent three seasons at AC Milan before moving on to Paris Saint Germain on a contract worth €12m a year. After moving to Paris, Thiago posted a picture of him kissing the badge with the comment: “I will always have this club and the Milan fans in my heart.”

Lorenzo Insigne came on for Napoli with ten minutes left to play then scored an injury time winner again Cagliari. Insigne, as a product of the Napoli youth system, can be regularly seen kissing their badge.

Malaga’s Isco celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League round of 16 second leg against FC Porto in front of his own fans at the La Rosaleda stadium.

Malaga activated Isco’s €6m buy-out clause to sign him from his boyhood club Valencia in 2011. In January 2013 he signed a new contract to keep him at the club for another five years.

Gervinho not only kisses the badge of his club but of his country too. After scoring the winning goal against Togo during the AFCON in January 2012 he kissed the Ivory Coast badge.

Richard Edghill kissed Manchester City’s badge after scoring a penalty in their Division 2 play off against Gillingham in 1999.

Edghill joined City’s youth set up in 1988 when he was just 12-years-old and stayed at the club until 2002 when he joined Wigan after being released by the club. He is now a coach for Manchester City soccer schools.

Adel Taarabt kissed QPR’s badge after scoring both goals in a 2-1 win over Fulham. Taarabt has played for QPR since joining them on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in 2009.