Manchester City Must Ensure Frank Lampard Extends Loan Spell From New York FC

Frank Lampard spent 13 years as a Chelsea player, leaving Stamford Bridge this summer as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, having won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, a Champions League and a Europa League. It was a glittering period in the west London side’s history, and “Super Frank” left an indelible mark on a club that will always be close to his heart.

Moving on was difficult, but a new experience playing for New York City beckoned. The fledgling MLS side needs big-name signings to raise its profile, and there aren’t too many bigger than Lampard, a player who has achieved everything in the English game and represented his country 106 times.

He was due to move to New York in January to prepare for the new MLS season beginning in March, but his form for Manchester City, where he is currently on loan in order to remain match fit before his move to the U.S., may just delay things.

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Lampard has hit three goals in two games, including a crucial equaliser against his former club at the weekend, and played a starring role in City’s 7-0 League Cup win over Sheffield on Wednesday, scoring twice and winning the man of the match award.

The City manager, Manuel Pellegrini, hinted in his press conference after Wednesday's win that Lampard may well stay longer than first expected. “This is an issue that we will see further [into the future],” said Pellegrini. “At this moment I think it is not the most important thing. We will see what happens in January.

“We have a couple months more to decide, but I repeat we are going to do what is more important for the club and the player. We have time to decide. We must talk about a lot of things, but it's not impossible to stay here also.”

Extending the deal would make sense for City, who face the prospect of losing Yaya Toure for up to a month in January if he goes to the African Cup of Nations. Lampard, with all his experience and ability, would help compensate for his loss but also add quality to an already star-studded squad in the meantime.

Lampard has shown already in his short time at the Etihad that he still has something to offer at the very highest level. The pace may have declined somewhat, but so much of the game is played in the head, and Lampard is a step ahead of most in that department.

He played in a role at the tip of a midfield three on Wednesday, given licence to get forward at every opportunity to try and connect with balls into the box. It worked. Lampard twice finished expertly and had numerous other chances to score.

He was at the centre of everything, demonstrating his technical ability and his vision. No one is getting too excited about a performance against a Championship side that was reduced to 10 men, but it’s clear that Lampard brings experience and quality to the City squad, and if it can keep him for longer than planned, it would be a great move.

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And even for a player like Lampard, who has seen pretty much all there is to see in the game, there are always new experiences lying in wait. During the game against the Owls on Wednesday, a fan ran onto the pitch to take a selfie with the midfielder, something his manager felt was recognition for his remarkable career.

“Well, I think he deserves what the fans did. He has his story in football here in England, and I am very happy for him,” said Pellegrini.

He’ll be even happier if he can call upon Lampard’s ability beyond the current agreement that’s in place.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard.