Chelsea have asked Frank Lampard to find a new club in January, leaving the legendary Blues midfielder shattered.

Lampard starred for the Blues in their 8-0 win over Aston Villa Sunday, also scoring a trademark 25-yard belter; but that epic mauling could be one of his final games for the club he has been with for nearly 12 years, with the Blues hierarchy making it clear he is free to leave when the window reopens in January, according to The Sun.

"Frank is absolutely distraught," a source told The Sun.

"He wants to keep playing for Chelsea but they've told him to find another club in the January transfer window. He can't believe it.

"All he wants to do is play for Chelsea. This club means everything to him."

Lampard as much as admitted this would be his final season with Chelsea, with the Blues reluctant to offer him a new contract, with his current one set to expire at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old has been linked with a move to L.A. Galaxy as a replacement for David Beckham, who left the MLS club earlier this month.

Lampard, however, has insisted he wants to play at the highest level, leaving open the possibility of signing for another Premier League club with Arsenal, West Ham and Queens Park Rangers a possibility.

The England international was told before the 8-0 win over Villa that his time with the club was up, and that he would need to find a new team next month.

"Frank worships the club -- and especially the fans -- and would happily have seen out his career at Stamford Bridge," the source added.

"After everything he has done for Chelsea, he cannot believe the way the club are throwing him out so callously.

"Anyone who saw his performance against Aston Villa will know he should be the first name on the team sheet.

"To think he went into that game knowing the club don't want him and then to play the way he did tells you what an unbelievable professional Frank is."