Harry Redknapp claims he would have kept Frank Lampard on at Chelsea

Frank Lampard to leave Chelsea on a free-transfer

QPR manager Harry Redknapp has said that he is surprised that Chelsea have allowed Frank Lampard to leave the club on a free transfer.

The midfielder, 35, reached the end of his contract and wasn’t offered a new deal by Chelsea, a club he has played for since 2001.

Speaking to reporters, Goal writes, Redknapp said, “He (Lampard) is easily good enough to do another year at Chelsea but I don’t think Frank would be happy if he wasn’t playing regularly because he is not used to that,”

“If I was Chelsea manager, I would take him back for another year, absolutely. He’s still worth his weight in gold around the place and Roy Hodgson feels the same as far as England are concerned.

“You need good characters around, whether it’s a football club or the England dressing room. His set piece delivery is still the best in the business.”

The Englishman’s next move is under scrutiny and at the moment remains unclear. There have been suggestions that Lampard could be set to link up with David Villa at the newly formed New York City FC.

The latest addition to the MLS are owned by Manchester City and have already announced the Spanish striker as their first signing.

However, the MLS won’t start again until 2015 so there is a gap for Lampard to fill and try and keep his fitness up and Redknapp, who is also Lampard’s uncle, has hinted at a move to bring the player to the newly promoted Loftus Road outfit.

“If he goes to New York, and their season does not start until March, you never know… if he’s got six months to fill, maybe he fancies a game at QPR.”

“When you read about David Villa saying he’s been made a mind-blowing offer to go over there, the money must be fantastic,” Redknapp said.

“That new club in New York is owned by Sheikh Mansour, so everything about the club will be fantastic… I wonder if they are looking for a manager.”