As the windows closes on one of the most expensive transfer periods in Premier League history, fans, pundits and the media alike can all take a step back and take stock of some of the deals which have happened. Numerous multi-million pound deals signings have increased the number of world class players plying their trade in England, with Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa and Mario Balotelli illustrating the high calibre of names which are set to make their mark. Every Premier League team has been actively conducting business throughout the summer, with at least four players signed across the board.
Manchester City have, as expected, been busy once again as they have not only strived to remain competitive in the market amidst a plethora of deals carried out by their closest title rivals, but also to be in the strongest position to defend their Premier League crown in 2014/15. While the arrival of Bacary Sagna, Willy Caballero, Fernando and Eliaquim Mangala represents excellent business from Manuel Pellegrini, the acquisition of Frank Lampard raised many eyebrows. Signing for the newly-founded MLS side New York City – a club which Manchester City has have strong links with due to involvement in their formation – was always likely to be a career step Lampard would take if he ever left Chelsea. While the 36-year-old was expected to follow in the footsteps of David Villa and join Melbourne City in Australia during the MLS off-season to remain in peak condition, his decision to join Manchester City raised question marks over the real reason behind the move.
Top Quality Player
Despite being in the twilight stage of his career, Lampard remains a top quality midfielder who can perform at the highest level. 13 wonderful years of service at Chelsea, in which he contributed to their considerable success with a wonderful tally of 147 goals, rightly makes him a club legend, with Lampard mastering the art of scoring from midfield. Not only is he efficient from free-kick and penalties, but Lampard also has the knack of arriving in the box at the right time and being a considerable threat with his long range shooting. His advancing years may restrict his forays up the pitch, but Lampard is more than capable of controlling a game from a holding position with a superb range of passing and vision to pick his fellow team-mates out.
All of these qualities made it a no brainer for any Premier League team to sign Lampard on a loan deal which lasts until the 2015 MLS season begins next March. Although Australia appeared to be a likely destination, Manchester City made full utilisation use of their relationship with New York City to acquire a goalscoring midfielder that still has plenty to offer. Lampard may not be a regular in Pellegrini’s team, but having a player of his calibre to call upon when required could be the all important difference between falling short and successfully retaining their Premier League title. The player himself is delighted to be playing for another illustrious club, stating that “joining up with Manchester City is a fantastic opportunity for me.”
English Quota
While sceptics of the deal believe that Manchester City have intentionally used their relationship with a club they helped establish to gain an unfair advantage over other Premier League clubs, there is more of an underlying feeling that Lampard’s nationality may have played a major role. Every Premier League club must have eight home-grown players of English nationality, whether they were born in the country or have registered as a UK citizen after three years of residency, in their 25-man squad to meet enforced regulations. They are put in place to preserve the integrity and future of English football, with clubs encouraged to bring talented players through their youth academy and give them a chance at the highest level.
While Manchester City have a considerable number of highly-rated players in their youth system, their aim to become a dominant force in the Premier League has barely featured the presence of UK-based players. The sale of Micah Richards and Jack Rodwell further decreases their quota of English players, with only Joe Hart and James Milner remaining Manchester City’s recognised first team players from England. With Lampard unlikely to be a first team regular, it puts weight behind the belief that he was signed purely to satisfy the English quota and not for playing reasons.
