Lampard: Manchester City pressured me into staying

Frank Lampard says that he felt pressured into extending his loan spell at Manchester City, which delayed his move to New York City FC.

The 37-year-old initially joined City in a bid to maintain fitness ahead of the start of the new MLS season in March, but extended his deal until the end of the campaign.

"I was asked from the top to stay on in Manchester," he told reporters. "So it wasn’t an easy position for me to be in.

"I’m not trying to wash my hands of it because I am a man and I make my decisions, but it kind of felt right at the time to carry on playing.

"The situation happened as it did and I kind of sat there and, yeah, when you stay on and the club really wanted me to stay on, and I thought I’d play more matches, obviously. It didn’t work out that way."

Lampard also ruled out a return to the Premier League, insisting he will not entertain offers during the MLS off-season.

He added: "I might train somewhere to stay fit, but I won't play anywhere. I've had my time in the Premier League and Europe and it's not going to happen now."