Frank Lampard Deal Extension Would Be Win-Win for Player and Manchester City

Manchester City midfielder Frank Lampard, on loan from new MLS side New York City FC, looks set to be given the chance to extend his stay at the Etihad when his current six-month deal expires on January 1, according to Mark Ogden writing in The Telegraph.

The 36-year-old former Chelsea man has made a significant impact for City, scoring four goals in seven games, and he could now remain at the Premier League club until the end of February before beginning his new career in the MLS.

The New York side were initially reluctant to allow one of their star signings to remain in Manchester for longer than originally agreed. They want to integrate him into their newly-assembled squad and use his profile in marketing opportunities to continue generating season ticket sales.

But it has now emerged that they could hold a pre-season training camp at City’s impressive new training facility to prepare for their new season, a move which would ease any tension caused by Lampard extending his stay. New York would also look to play friendly matches with some lower-league north-west sides to help their preparations for the new MLS season which gets underway in March.

Jon Super/Associated Press

It would be a fantastic piece of business for City, who have benefited from Lampard’s experience and quality since his summer arrival. His technical quality remains as accomplished as ever, and his ability to get into the box and find himself scoring opportunities has added real value to City’s season thus far.

And with Yaya Toure expected to be involved in the African Cup of Nations throughout January, securing an extended stay for Lampard is high on Manuel Pellegrini’s list of priorities.

His spell at City began with a low-key 45 minutes away at Arsenal. He clearly wasn’t match-fit and was withdrawn at the break, but since then his performances have seen him force his way into Pellegrini’s first-team plans.

An equaliser against his former club Chelsea prevented them from extending their lead at the top of the table to eight points, before a standout display against Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup, where he scored two excellent goals, further underlined his ability.

A goal as a substitute against Hull City at the KC Stadium helped secure another vital three points, and he is now considered an important part of this star-studded City squad. He won a penalty in last weekend’s 4-1 win over Tottenham before a thigh injury curtailed his progress.

He’s been a resounding success in a blue shirt.

Craig Ruttle/Associated Press

What at first may have seemed like a marriage of convenience—a move aimed at giving Lampard some much-needed fitness in the gap between signing for New York and the MLS season beginning while providing City with some emergency cover—has actually turned into a much-more positive move than many had envisaged.

City have on their hands a real asset, a player who knows the Premier League and still has the quality to perform at the highest level.

If they can keep him for an extended period, it will be a real boost to the squad, and Lampard will get to continue testing himself at the very highest level, for a short time, at least.

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.