$14million annual contract for lampard or no special one for chelsea.

Jose Mourinho has told Chelsea that Frank Lampard must be offered a new contract at the club or he will not return to the Blues hot seat.

The self-styled Special One is the clear favourite to take over as Chelsea manager in the summer, with current boss Rafa Benitez already confirming he will leave at the end of the season.

But according to reports both here and in Portugal, Mourinho has given owner Roman Abramovich a list of conditions that must be met before he even considers putting pen to paper on a sensational return to Stamford Bridge.

It is thought that top of the list is a demand that veteran midfielder Frank Lampard must be handed a new contract, with his current deal set to expire in July.

Close: Mourinho and Lampard enjoyed a close relationship (Picture: Getty)
The Blues have previously refused to offer the 34-year-old fresh terms, but Mourinho is said to see Lampard as key and is desperate for him to stay.

The 50-year-old is also said to want an £80million transfer budget for the summer, and a final say on all dealings both in and out of the club.

Mourinho is all but certain to become the best-paid football manager ever if he signs up, with talk that Chelsea will offer him at least £12million per year to take charge.