Frank Lampard believes he made the right decision in shunning a move to the MLS in favor of staying at Chelsea.
Lampard's days at Stamford Bridge appeared to be numbered as the 2012/13 campaign drew to a close, with his contract allowed to run down under interim coach Rafa Benitez.
He was, however, offered a new one-year deal once Jose Mourinho returned to the Blues hot-seat and remains an important cog in the Chelsea machine and an experienced head in an England camp counting down the days to the 2014 World Cup.
Lampard is convinced that remaining in the Premier League was the best call for his career, with there a desire on his part to compete at the top level for as long as possible under coaches who believe in him.
The 35-year-old midfielder said in The Sun: "I certainly think I made the right decision to stay at Chelsea and in the Premier League.
"It wasn't a big secret I wanted to stay anyway, it was just a case of trying to play my best and make sure that happened.
"Fortunately enough it did and I haven't looked back. I'm very pleased to be working under the manager again because he's been brilliant for me and my career. I'll never forget that.
"If I hadn't have been at Chelsea then Champions League nights wouldn't have been possible and possibly England, either.
"Roy Hodgson was very good with me because he knew things were up in the air.
"Ideally he wanted me in the Premier League. He wasn't forceful but it's not rocket science - if you're playing in the best league in the world then you obviously give yourself the best chance of being picked.
"Jose has always said about me trusting him and him trusting me and we have a decent relationship. I'm just trying to stay fit and contribute."
Lampard's focus is very much locked on the present, with there no plans to thrash out a contract extension any time soon.
He added on his future: "I've got no idea when we might talk about my contract.
"I'm taking each game, each month and each season as it comes these days, as you get older, so no rush at all."
