#360view: Lampard's loan deal must be extended beyond January

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  • Technician: Frank Lampard found the net in Manchester City's 3-0 win against Southampton.

    It is pivotal that Manchester City extend Frank Lampard’s loan deal if they want to challenge Chelsea for this year’s Premier League title.

    The 36-year-old joined Major League Soccer side New York City FC in July and is due to return in January, but this is an issue for Manuel Pellegrini’s side.

    With Yaya Toure missing for the majority of January and maybe even half of February due to the Africa Cup of Nations, a goal-scoring midfielder is crucial and Lampard fills that void.

    The former Chelsea star has been a revelation in his latest shade of blue that was unimaginable when he first joined the Abu Dhabi-owned side.

    ‘Super Frank’ initially made the surprise loan move to Manchester to maintain his fitness but the midfielder has played a vital part in their campaign so far.

    He scored his 174th Premier League goal in their 3-0 win against Southampton on Sunday. That leaves him one goal behind the forward that many believe is the greatest in the league’s history- Thierry Henry.

    However it’s Lampard’s statistics for this season that deserve praise. Despite a bit-part role, the midfielder has scored five goals in all competitions. His three Premier League goals have come at the fastest rate in the country. Better than both Sergio Aguero and Diego Costa.

    1. Frank Lampard- 68 minutes per goal
    2. Sergio Aguero-  81 minutes per goal
    3. Diego Costa- 83 minutes per goal.

    Not bad for a player that many people believed had past it when he left Chelsea after 13 successful years at the club.

    It was difficult to see where Pellegrini would fit Lampard into his system. He enjoys using two defensive midfield options but they provide minimal firepower. Fernando, Fernandinho and James Milner still haven’t found the net this season. City have an abundance of attack-minded midfielders to accompany these anchors.

    Samir Nasri and David Silva are similar players that can make magic happen with their trickery and intelligence but neither are renowned for their strike-rate. Nasri is yet to score this season whilst Silva has two but an array of assists.  You don’t get the same feeling when they have the ball within 25 yards out that you do with Toure and Lampard- anything is possible.

    In City’s crucial Champions League win against Bayern Munich last week, Lampard played the full match and he will most likely feature at Roma as well, due to Toure’s suspension. Remember their Champions League season will extend to March, if they qualify for the knockout stage, so it is vital they don’t lose their experienced Englishman.

    It is evident that Lampard can’t play every game anymore, due to fitness, so Pellegrini will have to be careful not to use him in excess.

    Former England teammate Jamie Carragher understands the importance he has on the side. “They have to keep him,” says the Sky Sports pundit. “I don’t know what’s going on with City and the link to New York but they have to keep him at the club.

    “As he’s shooting, you know it’s a goal. That’s just Frank Lampard. There’s no one better we’ve probably seen in the past 10 or 20 years in terms of that position coming onto a ball.”

    With Chelsea occupying a six point lead and looking unassailable, their former-employee Lampard has proven he is still a class act that could make all the difference when called upon.

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