The January transfer window is a busy time for managers across the world: whether it’s the act of buying and bringing in new talent or entertaining offers from your current crop of players, managers in the English Premier League and Major League Soccer are hard at work, the former in pursuit of consistency and a boost down the final stretch of the 2014/15 campaign and the latter leagues’ teams building towards the start of the 2015 season.
Amidst the wheeling and dealing, three English internationals have made MLS headlines in recent days. Here’s what’s going on across the pond.
Frank Lampard
When New York City F.C. was announced, the Manchester City-owned side promised to make big moves.
The signing of Frank Lampard fit that bill to the tee. Lampard, a Chelsea icon and English international midfielder, has been a Premier League mainstay for the better part of the last two decades. Joining New York alongside Spanish striker David Villa meant this new MLS team had two massive pieces to build around. A loan to Manchester City would keep Lampard fresh and in top form until the start of the MLS season.
Or so we thought.
There were some interesting revelations that came out from Manchester City’s camp after it was revealed that Lampard would remain with Manuel Pellegrini’s side until the end of the Premier League season. Manchester City, currently tied at the top of the table with Chelsea (in every single stat, mind you) have found success with Lampard in the middle and the Englishman has scored some key goals to give his new team much-needed points during the first part of the season.
So, no Frank Lampard come first kick for New York, it seems, but the story gets a little bit more complicated. See, Pellegrini didn’t outright confirm or deny that Lampard would be leaving Manchester City at all. Despite New York’s insistence that they get their man, the current contract status of Lampard remains unclear and it looks possible that Lampard was never actually owned by New York or given an MLS contract. Instead, it seems he has signed with Manchester City.
New York is, understandably, unhappy with the current situation. Head coach Jason Kreis has already lamented this delay, saying players who come in mid-season are more likely to fail. At this point, though, there is no guarantee this new team will ever see Lampard, who, at 34 years old, isn’t exactly a spring chicken.
Steven Gerrard
Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard announced he would not be returning to Anfield next season and will make the switch to MLS. While no team has been confirmed yet it is a safe bet to say he will join the LA Galaxy following in the footsteps of David Beckham. However, Orlando City and Toronto FC have also been rumored to have expressed interest in his signature. Gerrard would be 35 when he comes to Major League Soccer but he would link up with another Premier League veteran in Robbie Keane, should he join the Galaxy.
But the LA Galaxy would need to shift tactics in order to accommodate and fill in not only for Gerrard in the middle but to also accommodate for the absence of Landon Donovan out wide; the U.S. icon retired at the end of the 2014 season. Gerrard is a central midfielder and the combination of Marcelo Sarvas and Juninho has been really good for the LA Galaxy so adding Gerrard would mix up the midfield, too.
It should be interesting to see how Gerrard fits into Major League Soccer. But, if the character of the man is any indication, his time in the league will be top class.
Jermain Defoe
The final English international making headlines is former Tottenham Hotspur forward Jermain Defoe. The Toronto FC forward joined the Canadian club at the top of the 2014 campaign and had a stellar start, scoring 11 goals before going down with a groin hernia-like injury. Unable to recover, Defoe’s 2014 season ended early but Defoe is undergoing rehab in France and is expected to be healthy for the start of the 2015 season.
Defoe has also been the subject of a lot of transfer speculation since August and TFC turned down a record transfer fee for him back then. QPR boss Harry Redknapp wanted Defoe back then and still wants him now but admitted Defoe might be too expensive. Hull City and Newcastle United have also been linked with Defoe but he could also stay in Toronto.
However, Defoe has most recently been linked to two fresh new teams: a loan move to Liverpool and, more widely reported, a move to Premier League basement dwellers Leicester City.
Whatever happens here, Toronto FC is now competing for players at a higher level, something that will help the clubs image on a global level. The club sold defender Doneil Henry to Premier League outfit West Ham United, furthering the scope and reach of its talent pool.
