• Premier League

Lampard seen as City's Champions League saviour

ESPN staff
August 4, 2014
Frank Lampard featured in England's World Cup campaign in Brazil © Getty Images
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Samir Nasri believes Frank Lampard can help Manchester City finally make their mark in the Champions League.

The French midfielder was part of a City side who finally qualified from the group stages last season, only to be knocked out by Barcelona in the last 16.

But Lampard, who has joined City on loan from New York City FC, captained Chelsea as they won the Champions League in 2012 and scored in the 2008 final.

Chelsea also reached the semi-finals six times during Lampard's 13-year stay at Stamford Bridge and Nasri claims it will help City's European campaign this season.

"Frank's a great player and any team will benefit from his experience," Nasri said. "We will particularly benefit from having him in the Champions League because that's where we need to improve this year.

"He's won it and I think he can help us. It's good that he's an English player too as we've had a little problem with that."

City are short of English players with Joleon Lescott and Gareth Barry leaving this summer while Scott Sinclair, Jack Rodwell and Micah Richards are all surplus to requirements.

Lampard is City's third central midfield signing this summer after Fernando and youngster Bruno Zuculini, who is likely to be a member of their Elite Development Squad, and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has questioned whether the deal is a way to bend Financial Fair Play rules.

The 36 year old will be one of New York City FC's designated players when they enter Major League Soccer in the 2015 season alongside former Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Spain forward David Villa.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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