FRANK LAMPARD will decide in the next few days whether to follow Steven
Gerrard into international retirement after joining MLS side New York City.
The Chelsea legend, 36, today quit the Premier League for the newly-formed Big
Apple side on a two-year deal.
No decision has yet been taken over where he will spend the next seven months
as New York City do not play their first game until March 2015.
But Lampard insists he will not keep England fans waiting on whether he will
continue making himself avaiable for the Three Lions.
Lamps said: “I had a bit of time after the World Cup. Getting my personal
future sorted out was the first priority.
“It won’t be long before I know now I know where I’m playing my football next
year.”
The chances are Lampard could go and play for Manchester City’s other new club
Melbourne City until the next MLS season kicks off.
Fellow New York new-boy David Villa has already been told he will stay sharp
Down Under.
But Lampard, who was this afternoon unveiled at Brooklyn Bridge Park, said:
“I’m going to keep fit.
“We are not clear how I do that. I’ll speak to the people at the club and find
out what the best plan is.
After 13 years at Chelsea when he became the club’s all-time leading scorer
with 211 goals, Lampard insists the time is right for him and the club to go
their seaparate ways.
Lampard added: “Why not choose New York City? For me it ticks all the boxes,
it’s an exciting challenge in life terms.
“I had a fantastic 13 years at Chelsea. But it was probably a good time for me
and Chelsea that I moved on.
“I spoke to the people here and I wanted to be part of it. I want to be a
leader and carry on challenging myself.”
Lampard’s arrival in America comes seven years after David Beckham quit Real
Madrid for Los Angeles.
Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe now also ply their trade Stateside at LA Galaxy
and Toronto.
And Lampard is certain the once-derided MLS is a league on the up. He said:
“Back home in England we saw David Beckham come here.
“I didn’t speak to David Beckham when I signed — it was all my decision but he
speaks very highly of the MLS.
“I’m coming to a great city and I want to show people I can play good
football.
“The respect the MLS has around the world has gone up. You only need to look
at what the US did at the World Cup.
“I played once in the Yankees Stadium. I was overwhelmed by it. The minute you
say you are playing there, no one can believe it. It’s an iconic place.
“It’s a great place to come and play football.
“I don’t think it’s a risk. There’s an element but what doesn’t? I see it as a
challenge.
“I want to make NYCFC a team that New Yorkers are proud of. What better
challenge could there be.”
Meanwhile, Lamps tipped Cesc Fabregas to fill the gap he is leaving behind at
Stamford Bridge.
Fabregas joined the Blues in a £27million deal earlier this summer. And
Lampard said: “I’d had to put pressure on Cesc, he has qualities.
“What I’ve done will never change there. I wish them every success. They’ll
always have a huge place in my heart.
“Cesc is a world class player — but I wish him nothing but the best.”