LONDON, July 8: New manager Luiz Felipe Scolari said on Tuesday that Frank Lampard would remain at Chelsea for this season and beyond, underlining the club’s refusal to consider any offers for the England midfielder.

Speaking at his first news conference since taking the Chelsea post, Scolari said he had spoken to Lampard and received assurances the player was still committed to the London club.

“I think Chelsea needs Lampard and Lampard needs Chelsea,” the Brazilian told reporters. “I think Lampard will be with us (for) more time than one (more) year.”

Lampard is entering the final year of his contract and Chelsea told Inter Milan in a statement earlier on Tuesday that they were not prepared to enter into any discussions for the 30-year-old.

The Stamford Bridge club confirmed they had received an approach from the Italian champions but denied British media reports that an offer had been made for Lampard.—Reuters