After 13 years of service at Chelsea Frank Lampard was released from his contract earlier this year. He initially said he would not sign for another Premier League club, and he has stuck to his word. However, it has now emerged that he will be wearing the Manchester City football jerseys next season.Nike has launched the brand new Manchester City home shirt 2014 2015. The shirt is a smart new design featuring the iconic sky blue home kit colors, and a modern block V-shaped neckline that is highlighted with navy blue trim. This shirt can be ordered at Soccer Box, and will be worn by Frank Lampard for both Premier League and UEFA Champions League games, but how?
A Controversial Deal
Frank Lampard has not broken his word to fans, he has not signed up as a Manchester City player. In fact, he has agreed to up-sticks and move across the Atlantic to play Major League Soccer (MLS) in America for New York City. Lampard is not the only European football player to move into MLS, he follows in the footsteps of David Beckham, and will join Thierry Henry and David Villa amongst other household names playing Major League Soccer.
New York City football club is a brand new team, joining MLS for the 1st time for the 2015 season. New York City is a jointly owned entity between Premier League football club Manchester City and American baseball team New York Yankees. Frank Lampard's deal with New York City has resulted in him being loaned out to their English counterparts, and he will therefore, be wearing the Manchester City football jerseys.
Lampard is not a permanent member of the team. He will start the season sporting the Manchester City home shirt 2014 2015 in both Premier League and European fixtures, but his loan is for a 6-month period only. The 2015 MLS season does not begin until next March giving rise to this opportunity.
This agreement has raised questions and speculation from other interested parties. Yesterday it emerged that Manchester City would pay Frank Lamapard's wages during his time with club raising speculation that this move is a way of by passing the FIFA Financial Fair Play regulations. Manchester City failed to comply with these rules last season, and have had a fine and restrictions placed on their squad for the 2014 2015 season.
Manchester City also own a share of other sports teams around the world from which other such deals may occur in the future. Melbourne City football club and Yokohama F Marinos are also part of the Manchester City portfolio. Former Barcelona player David Villa has signed for New York City but has been loaned under similar conditions to Melbourne City until the MLS season begins next spring.
Lampard at City
Frank Lampard is a midfielder, it has been reported that he will be registered as one of the Manchester City home grown players for both Premier League and UEFA Champions League competition. Lampard will bolster the team and wear the Manchester City football jerseys until January 2015 according to an official statement from manager Manuel Pellegrini.
With the MLS season at a close it is a fantastic opportunity for Frank Lampard to play the game he loves and stay fit. He is not the 1st player to spend a short-term loan period in the Premier League during the off-season in America. Clint Dempsey spent time at Fulham last winter, and Thierry Henry returned to Arsenal on loan for 2 months in 2012.
Manuel Pellegrini has stated that during his period in Manchester he is a City player and will participate in any game that he is called up for. He may make his official debut wearing the Manchester City home shirt 2014 2015 against Arsenal in the Community Shield this Sunday.
The focus for many football fans will not be the 1st games of the Premier League season but the September 21st tie between Manchester City and Lampard's former club Chelsea. This will be a home tie for Lampard and his new teammates, but he may incur some berating from die-hard Chelsea fans that are likely to feel cheated by his loan spell with their Premier League rivals.
Whether you agree with Lampard's move or not, it is likely that the team will be sitting toward, if not at the top, of the Premier League table for much of the 2014 2015 campaign. Order your Manchester City football jerseys and get ready for another magnificent season of English soccer!
