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Frank Lampard has revealed that he wanted to stay at Chelsea this summer but no new contract was offered.

The 36-year-old ended his glittering spell with the Blues at the end of season after 13 years at Stamford Bridge.

The midfielder went on to sign with MLS expansion franchise New York City FC before joining Manchester City on loan until January.

And speaking ahead of his new side facing off against his old one next weekend Lampard has admitted in an ideal world he'd still be running out for the other team.

"I would have obviously stayed if Chelsea had offered me another year. There was no reason for me to leave," he told the Sun. "Yes, I wanted to play a bit more regularly but I’m not stupid.

"If Chelsea had given me a new contract it would have been mad not to take it at the time."

Lampard also revealed that he chatted to boss Jose Mourinho after the decision had been made and holds no bad feeling whatsoever for the club he holds the all-time scoring record for.

But now that that particular chapter is firmly in the past he reflects that perhaps it was the best time to call it a day in west London.

"I also felt like I didn't want to be a player who faded away – with that being the last memory people had of me," he added.

"So maybe it was the right time. Maybe it was right that the club took it out of my hands."