Midfielder to delay US career in bid to help City pip former club Chelsea to the title
Manchester City have extended Frank Lampard’s contract with the club until the end of the season following 48 hours of negotiations with the Premier League ahead of the expiry of his short-term deal at the club.
The 36-year-old was due to officially become a New York City FC player on January 1 after agreeing a move to the newly-formed MLS franchise — owned by City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan — in August.
But after scoring six times for Manuel Pellegrini’s team since moving to City, the former Chelsea and England player has thrashed out a deal to remain at the club until the end of the season and will therefore miss the start of New York’s inaugural MLS campaign, which begins in March. Lampard’s failure to complete his move on schedule could risk a backlash against both the player and Manchester City from football fans in the United States.
Respected American football writer Grant Wahl described the decision as a “debacle”. Wahl said: “New York City FC having Lampard from day one in year one was a measuring stick of how seriously Manchester City owners took MLS and NYC fans. Answer: They don’t. The only thing New York City could do now to save face with fans over the Lampard debacle is to make an equivalent signing to start the season.”
City confirmed Lampard’s agreement in a brief statement on the club website shorly after 9pm on New Year's Eve. The statement said: “Manchester City can confirm that it has extended Frank Lampard’s contract up to the end of Manchester City’s season, enabling his continued participation in both domestic and European campaigns.”
City had been involved in lengthy discussions with the Premier League after requesting permission to remove the break clause in Lampard’s contract which was due to come into force at midnight on New Year's Eve.
With his short-term deal — Lampard was not on loan at City, as initially suggested — due to expire yesterday, City faced the problem of having to re-sign the player before the transfer window officially opens at 12.01am on Saturday.
But with the Premier League satisfied by the paperwork submitted by City, Lampard was cleared to face Sunderland on Thursday and extend his stay at the club for a further six months.
City had risked a possible points deduction had they fielded Lampard against Sunderland without the necessary clearance from the Premier League.
Officials at New York City FC sought to put a positive spin on the absence of their star signing but admitted they still did not know exactly when a player who had been due to join them on the first day of 2015 would actually do so.
A statement said: “His exact starting date with New York City FC will be confirmed as the EPL and MLS seasons unfold. All parties remain in ongoing dialogue to create the best outcome for all.”
New York City FC director of football Claudio Reyna, who palyed for Manchester City, said: “Frank is a star and it is no surprise that Manchester City is rewarded by his contributions on the field every single day. He is eager to get to New York once his commitment ends in England and will be available to play on arrival.”
by Mark Ogden / The Telepgraph
