Rafael Benítez: Frank Lampard is fully committed to Chelsea

Rafael Benítez refused to be drawn on Frank Lampard’s future after the midfielder’s brace helped Chelsea to victory at Everton.

The 34-year-old produced a man-of-the-match display, netting a goal either side of half-time after Steven Pienaar had opened the scoring in just the second minute.

Lampard’s sparkling display at Goodison Park served as a timely reminder of the midfielder’s continuing importance to Chelsea, with the England international’s contract set to expire next summer.

Speculation has been rife over Lampard’s future in recent months and he has been linked with a move to MLS side LA Galaxy as well as a switch across London to Queens Park Rangers.

But interim Chelsea boss Benítez chose not to discuss Lampard’s contract situation after watching his side move up to third place in the Premier League table.

“My job is to keep Lampard fit,” Benítez told BBC Sport. “He is under contract, fully committed and working hard and that is it. My job is to coach the players, and keep winning games and keep my opinion.”

Reflecting on the display as a whole, the Spaniard added: “We started the game making a couple of big mistakes and they were pushing really hard, but the players reacted and that was good against very strong players who have been playing together for a long time under the same manager for 10 years.”