Tuesday, 3rd June, 2014
Frank Lampard's departure from Chelsea this summer is not unwelcome news for everyone at Stamford Bridge, with midfielder Marco van Ginkel feeling his chances are increased by the Englishman's exit.
The 35-year-old is bidding farewell to Chelsea after a 13-year spell which has seen him become the club's all-time top scorer and go down as a Blues legend.
Lampard will look for pastures new, leaving Chelsea with a hole to fill. And Van Ginkel, who missed almost all last season with a cruciate knee ligament injury, is ready to rise to the challenge.
"I played little this season and I'm finally fit again", he told FOX Sports following Holland Under-21s' European Championship qualifier against Luxembourg, won 3-1 by the young Oranje.
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"Too bad he's leaving, especially for the club.
"But for me it's an advantage, though naturally you never know if they pick a new player to replace Lampard.
"I want to at least be 100 per cent fit while preparing for the new season, so that should still happen this summer.
"I'm preparing to start [the new season] at Chelsea and it is my goal to continue [there] instead of going on loan."
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