Kicking-off today we have an interview from Frank Lampard which is appearing across the board with the midfielder revealing his excitement at the prospect of linking up with New York City FC in August, especially with a clash with Steven Gerrard’s LA Galaxy one of the first things on the agenda.
“”I’m pleased for Stevie,” says Frank in the Express. “It’s a very good move for him. What more can he do at Liverpool? He’s had a fantastic career. It helps with the interest [in the MLS] of people here, we’re seeing it on TV here now, and I look forward to being competitive against Stevie.
“”Only individuals know the right time for them. I wasn’t sure about my time as a Chelsea player. The decision got made for me. When the decision is not made for you and you have to make it yourself then it’s more difficult maybe.
“”Only he knows that and I think at the minute I would say yes, because what more can he do? If he’s not their greatest player he will be right up there with the greatest players ever.
“”Maybe there’s a time [to go] at a club. When I look back at my time at Chelsea, you accept they will move on and I am sure Stevie will look at Liverpool and see it the same way. Then you look at yourself and think, ‘How can I finish in the right way?’ Stevie will do that.”
“Lampard and Gerrard have clocked up over 1,600 games between them for club and country but the will to win will be just as intense when they come face-to-face in the California sunshine in August.
“”August 23rd - it’s at their place,” said Lampard. “It’s the day after my daughter’s birthday so I should know.
“”We get on very well, particularly in our latter years, as captain and vice-captain of England. I’ve a huge amount of respect for him and look forward to getting up against him out there.
“”It will be great for the league.”
“The MLS is really coming on and people in Europe and the top leagues are talking about it. Players will go there and the league is growing in a solid way. I know the foundations of it and people like Stevie, David Villa and Kaka going there is only going to help.”
“Lampard has watched New York City’s first two games on television - a draw in Orlando and a 2-0 home win over New England Patriots. They have since continued their unbeaten start with a draw in Colorado and he is set to make use of the international break by flying over to watch their home game against Kansas City this weekend.
“”It was fantastic, the home game particularly, the atmosphere in the ground,” he said. “I’ve had feedback from people at the club about what a buzz there is for it in the city and I was delighted for the lads.
“”They were over in Manchester for pre-season and I had dinner with them and got to know a lot of them. I know how keen and hungry they are, from David Villa all the way through to every member of the squad, so I was very pleased for them.
“”It’s great to see the project up and running. There’s always question marks over it, with it being a completely new thing for all of us, and who knows what might happen.
“”The people behind the scenes have done an amazing job getting it to a point where there is a team there, from Claudio Reyna [NYFC’s director of football] at the top of the club here and the City Football Group, to all the people behind the scenes in New York.
“”They deserve that special day. It was a really special moment for all of the people involved and hopefully it just goes from strength to strength.”
“Lampard’s final Premier League game is on May 24 and his first game for NYFC will be in early July. And there is still a chance he could arrive in the US with a championship medal.
“”I’m very excited and I’m very fortunate,” he said. “This part of my career, coming to City, was something I never saw coming and when I look back and think, blimey, at 36 I got asked to come to the champions and a club with this pedigree of player here.
“”I’m delighted that happened and I’m delighted with the future I’ve got and the opportunity to go on and play in New York and try to help there, but also be part of a new football club in one of the greatest cities in the world.””
The London Evening Standard are reporting that Chelsea are eyeing a move for £30-rated Lazio striker Felipe Anderson with City also mentioned as being another club showing interest in the forward.
“(Chelsea) are thought to have had representatives at Lazio’s recent 2-0 win at Torino, in which Anderson claimed both goals, as well as at the 4-0 demolition of Fiorentina on March 9. The Brazilian did not score in that game but it was one of his most impressive displays this season.
“Manchester City are also believed to have been present, while sources in Italy indicated that Manchester United chief scout Jim Lawlor travelled to see the player in the 2-0 victory over Verona on Sunday, in which he also scored.”
And finally, as reported last week, Micah Richards could be on his way back to the Premier League with Southampton or Liverpool emerging as the most likely destination for the popular fullback who is currently enjoying a loan spell at Fiorentina from City.
However where Micah ultimately ends up could dictate whether or not Nathaniel Clyne becomes a United player with the Old Trafford outfit eyeing a move for the Southampton defender. Here’s Squarka’s take:
“Richards, who is currently on loan at Fiorentina, is still a Manchester City player but will be out of contract in the summer, and it is thought that the 26-year-old has attracted Koeman’s attention as the ideal player to fill the gap which Clyne’s departure would leave, the newspaper claims.
“The Express report a move from Liverpool could bring Louis van Gaal’s move for Clyne to a standstill should they tempt Richards to Anfield, with the Saints refusing to allow their right-back to leave without first securing cover in that position.
“Richards said recently, as per the Express: “I just want to go somewhere where I’m going to play the most. Every footballer can go to a bigger club on a free contract but for me, I’m still only 26 and I just want to play every game, that’s what’s important.”
“At Liverpool there would be readymade competition in the form of Javier Manquillo and Jon Flanagan, while Southampton would likely be able to offer regular football to the 26-year-old.”
