That – Lampy – City deal

Photo: Frank Lampard (getty images)

Frank Lampard left London and ended up in Manchester to play for “City” but only after he was in-transit in New York City. The Chelsea legend ended his tenure at the club to join the new MLS franchise that is owned by Manchester City only to be sent straight back to Manchester to play for the Sky Blues until the new season of the MLS begins in March 2015.

The quirky nature of the deal has certainly raised some eyebrows while others, like Arsenal’s coach Arsene Wenger, has openly criticized the transaction which appears to be a way around the Uefa Financial Fair Play regulations.

Wenger was quoted as saying, “”Is it a way to get around the fair play? I don’t know.

“It looks like all of these ‘City’ clubs will feed the main club Manchester City… I heard they want to buy five clubs all over the world.

“I don’t know the rules well enough, but they bought a franchise for £59.4m to play in the States next season.”

The acquisition of Lampard allows Man City to meet the minimum requirements of five home grown players in their 21 man Champions League squad.

Man City will begin the defence of their title away to Newcastle on Sunday August 17th.