Interim Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez has not ruled out some long term Blues legends staying at the club despite their contracts ending in the summer.

Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole looked set to leave West London after comments made by Benitez last week, but the Spaniard has backtracked on those remarks.

“When I was asked the other day, maybe it was a misunderstanding or maybe my English was not good enough, but the situation I know is that they are finishing their contracts [in the summer]. Past that, I do not know,” Benitez told Sky Sports.

“I know that Frank is happy here and he is a player that is part of the leadership, he is one of the important players, but I do not know about his future.

“So I cannot say yes or no, he will stay or he will leave, in January or even at the end of the season. At this moment, I do not know.”

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“We didn’t talk about any players going,” he said. “The board were asking me about players coming but not about any players leaving.”