OSG Prem: Lampard Joins NYC FC

((HT: NYCFC/MLS))

As another signing in the middle-aged, but still incredibly talented soccer players club, the still-not playing NYC FC has added Frank Lampard on a two-year contract to go with David Villa.

Head Coach Jason Kreis now will, probably, send Lampard down to Australia to play in the A-League with Villa since the club, co-owned by Manchester City and the Yankees, has a year to go before their MLS debut.

Here's his introduction
((HT: Sky Sports))


NYC Sporting Director Claudio Reyna is still aglow with the signing:

"He is a professional, a leader and he ticked all the boxes in terms of the qualities to help grow our team."

The larger question is now, other than fitness, Lampard's international career and if he will add to the 106 caps he has for his country.

OSG Prem: David Villa (And Lampard?) To NYCFC

((HT: NYCFC/Manchester City))

The folks over at NYCFC are going all in from the beginning in their search to make both rivalries and statements in Major League Soccer come the 2015 season.

First up, David Villa is signed on a three-year deal and will be paired with former Chelsea stand-out Frank Lampard (on a free transfer of all things) for two marquee names on head coach Jason Kreis' roster off the top.

Here's David Villa on the move and the challenges


While Lampard is not official yet, the Telegraph's Ben Findon has some background:

Lampard and another New York City transfer target, Spain’s David Villa, are believed to have visited Manchester City’s training complex at Carrington on Saturday. The two men met with New York City head coach Jason Kreis, who has been in charge of Manchester City’s MLS franchise since January.

It is understood that Lampard has agreed to a substantial wage drop from his previous £150,000-a-week deal at Stamford Bridge, although that could be supplemented with hefty bonuses.

Harry Redknapp is Lampard's uncle and he would, naturally, like to add him to his Queens Park Rangers side.

Kreis has admitted that any players signed would likely be loaned out to keep them in form before the 2015 season.

David Villa to Manchester City, anyone...???

OSG Prem: Chelsea To UCL, Lampard Sets Record

((HT: Sky Sports/BPL))

It took a while but Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard became the leading goal scorer in club history with two markers against Aston Villa in the 2-1 win at Villa Park.

The game, pretty much, featured everything- goals, reds (on both sides with Benteke and Ramires), the reinforcement for goal line technology (on a tap in by Demba Ba that wasn't called- in the end, it didn't matter, but it's the principle of the thing...), injuries to both Eden Hazard (hamstring) and John Terry (ankle) that jeopardize their playing for Chelsea in the Europa League final this week against Benfica, and Lampard setting the new record...

Did we miss anything...???

Here's the 203rd goal of Lampard's Chelsea career...


He goes one clear of Bobby Tambling for the top and now speculation begins as to how many of the old guard in Chelsea's current roster stay at season's end. Terry and Lampard, as well as current caretaker manager Rafa Benitez, are all thought of as gone because of what owner Roman Abramovich thought of as not letting Andres Villas-Boas implement his younger players and style effectively (and soon) enough when he was in charge.

If Mourinho arrives, some think Lampard stays. But he is still linked to a new life with Robbie Keane as an LA Galaxy DP if no one picks him up.

Here's the full highlight run...