Lampard: I'm going to finish my career at Chelsea

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The midfielder's pledge provides a timely boost for Avram Grant as he tries to overhaul Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League in the second half of the season.

The Chelsea boss is close to recruiting two new players - striker Nicolas Anelka and defender Branislav Ivanovic - but Lampard's insistence that he wants to "stay at this club for the rest of my career" is much more significant.

Contract talks with chief executive Peter Kenyon are on hold, which prompted speculation that Lampard was set on a move abroad in the summer.

The midfielder, 29, who has 18 months left on his contract, is still not expected to put pen to paper until the end of the season, yet he has assured fans that this is not a reason for them to worry.

He said: "On a scale of one to 10, Chelsea is a 10 for me in terms of importance and I'm not just saying that. Everyone around me knows how much Chelsea mean to me. In my life my family comes first, but Chelsea come second.

"I don't think I will receive the love I get from the Chelsea fans anywhere else. I feel strongly about it and I'd love to have another six or seven years of it. I'm at a club I love and living in an area I love."

Anelka has confirmed for the first time he wants a move to Stamford Bridge and revealed that the two clubs are in talks - even though that was denied last night by Bolton boss Gary Megson.

The 28-year-old France international is eligible to play in the Champions League despite playing for Bolton in the UEFA Cup and, while Manchester City are also believed to be interested in him, he hopes a move to Chelsea will be completed soon.

Anelka said: "The chairmen [of Bolton and Chelsea] are discussing it. I hope it happens but until the contract is signed and I am presented to the press in my new shirt, nothing is done.

"I want to go to a bigger club and that's what Manchester City have become under [Sven-Goran] Eriksson, who I was ready to join in 1999 at Lazio. Staying at Bolton, where I am very happy, wouldn't be a punishment either."

Bolton signed Anelka, who played in their 1-0 win over Derby last night, from Fenerbahce for £8million last year but they want around £15m for the striker.

Chelsea also expect to secure an £8m deal for Lokomotiv Moscow defender Ivanovic.

The Serbia international can play anywhere across the back four and will bring more depth to the squad with captain John Terry out for several weeks with a foot injury and Tal Ben Haim struggling for form.