NYCFC: "No Truth" to Lampard Loan Extension Rumors

New York City FC head coach Jason Kreis denied rumors linking new signing Frank Lampard with an extended loan stay at Manchester City. The 36-year-old is on a short-term loan with thePremier League champ until the MLS pre-season begins in January, although NYCFC’s first league game isn’t until March. “There is no truth to that rumor at all,” Kreis said during aconference call with reporters following the MLS Expansion Priority Draft event on Wednesday.

However, reports in England suggest that City might push back. As Sky Sports points out, the British giant isalready set to lose star midfielder Yaya Toure to international duty in January, when the African Nations’ Cup begins. Should the Ivory Coast make it to the final, Toure would be outuntil Feb 8, making the need for cover in the center of midfield all the more important.

Meanwhile, Lampard is in excellent form for City; his brace during Wednesday’s 7-0 thrashing ofSheffield Wednesday in the League Cup earned him the man-of-the-match award, taking his tally to three goals in three games so far this season.

Once again, Lampard’s performance left coachManuel Pellegrini purring: “For me it’s never difficult to put a good player in the team,” the Chilean said. “The problem is when you don’t have the players. I think itwas very important for Frank to score today again. He’s a very important player. I said after the game against Chelsea that he’s an important player for our team. Maybe he’s now 36 years old andhe can’t play three games in a row but he’s a top player.”