Frank Lampard’s shock loan move to Manchester City has apparently not phased Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who has said that he is welcome to return to Stamford Bridge at any point despite now being the club’s rival for the next few months.
Lampard transferred from Chelsea to MLS club New York City FC, but in an odd twist he was then loaned out by the US club to Chelsea’s Premier League rivals Manchester City, meaning that not only will the midfielder be leaving his former club after 13 years, but his first time lacing up his boots for a different squad will be for the same league occupied by his his old teammates.
Despite this, Mourinho insists that he is not bitter about Lampard representing Manchester City until his loan deal ends next January, with the manager saying: “He is a free agent, he can choose his club so there’s no problem at all. When he comes to Stamford Bridge he is welcome.”
However, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has questioned the deal, pointing to Manchester City and New York City FC both being owned by the City Football Group and suggesting that Lampard’s transfer to NY could’ve been a way for Man City to work around Uefa’s Financial Fair Play test.
Wenger said: “Lampard’s move to Manchester City is a surprise as after the statements we heard, it looks like all these “City” clubs will feed the main club. I heard they want to buy five clubs all around the world. I don’t know the rules well enough.
“They bought the New York franchise for $100m in the States to play next season and at moment the players they sign cannot play until next year. They will register in the clubs where they will put them and they can get out on loan. Is it a way to get around (financial) fair play? I don’t know.
He added: “Would Arsenal do that? We are happy to dedicate the money we make just to run our club as there is not a lot of surplus to buy other clubs.”
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