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Come June 30 and Frank Lampard has one huge decision to make.

World Cup or a Hollywood lifestyle would appear to be one choice.

If Chelsea have not reached an agreement to extend the career at Stamford Bridge of the best professional the club have had in the last 15 years, he will be on the market as a free transfer.

There will be no shortage of takers - especially from the other side of the Atlantic ... or the Pacific coastline to be precise. LA Galaxy will be among the first to offer the midfield star a tempting move to California.

And Lampard would not be human if he was not tempted. But there is a hidden danger in that move. If Lampard opts for a last hurrah Stateside, then he is virtually giving up hope of playing in next year's World Cup finals in Brazil.

Of course, the option is there for England manager Roy Hodgson to still select Lampard if he goes to Galaxy but it would be highly unlikely that an MLS player will be chosen for the squad for Brazil. In fact, it just won't happen.

For their investment, Galaxy will expect Lampard to play during their season - which will mean Lampard will have to forego a break this summer after his commitments in England.

His close season will be at the end of this year and the beginning of next year - and he will then have to find a club for a loan spell to ensure readiness for Brazil. And complete a pre-season before he can think of involvement in competitive action.

It just won't work.

Hopefully, Chelsea will see sense. Lamapard's form this season has been exceptional. He is 35 going on 25. He said a year ago he wanted to carry on playing at Chelsea and pointed to the careers of Rayn Giggs and Paul Scholes and their continued value to Manchester United as his motivation.

Sir Alex Ferguson is no-one's fool and Old Trafford is not a charity to keep the elderly active. Sir Alex has shown a ruthless streak in the past when he feels the time is up for certain star names - David Beckham, Roy Keane and Jaap Stam spring to mind.

But he knows when a player still has much to offer. Hence the continued presence of Giggs and Scholes at United.

If only someone in authority at Chelsea had the same vision where Lampard is concerned.