Manuel Pellegrini: Champions League progress not key to Lampard stay

MANCHESTER -- Manuel Pellegrini said he is not
waiting to see if Manchester City progress in the Champions
League before deciding whether to extend Frank Lampard's
loan deal and insisted it will have no bearing on the
midfielder's future.
Lampard, 36, is on loan from New York City FC, who will
play in their inaugural Major League Soccer season in 2015,
until January. But manager Pellegrini has hinted he is keen to
keep the veteran midfielder for longer after he has impressed
during his time in Manchester.
Meanwhile, City face Roma in the Stadio Olimpico on Dec.
10 knowing a victory could take them through to the last-16 of
the Champions League. But while Lampard captained Chelsea
to victory in the final of the competition in 2012, Pellegrini
said that his side's European fortunes will not dictate whether
the former England international stays.
Pellegrini said at a news conference: "That is not the reason.
I don't think one thing is tied with the other one. The decision
with Frank Lampard will be the same if we continue in the
Champions League or if we don't continue in the Champions
League."
Pellegrini had long insisted the decision about Lampard would
be made in December but added: "I said December, but not
the first or the second. We have the whole month of
December to decide."
Lampard has scored five goals in his brief City career but
Pellegrini insisted he has not surpassed expectations.
He said: "He has done the same way in the last 12 years here
in England. When he came here I expected that he would be
the same player he has been his whole career because he is a
top player. At his age, he cannot play three games in a week
for 90 minutes but his quality is the same as two or three
years ago."
City visit Sunderland on Wednesday after winning their last
two league games to close the gap on league leaders Chelsea to
six points.
Pellegrini insisted his side are not back in the title race by
arguing: "We were never out of the fight for the title."
And the Chilean does not think that just City and Chelsea will
be involved in the battle to win the Premier League, saying:
"I am convinced two or three more teams will be involved in
this title race."