Frank Lampard reveals he was close to joining LA Galaxy back in 2013 but decided it wasn’t the ‘right time’ to leave Chelsea

LA Galaxy nearly signed Frank Lampard in 2013, says supremo Chris Klein
The 37-year-old rejected the move once Chelsea appointed Jose Mourinho
New York swooped and snapped up the former England international
Galaxy made a big-move to sign ex-team-mate Steven Gerrard
The pair will face off when NYCFC face Galaxy on Sunday

Published:
10:04 GMT, 22 August 2015

|
Updated:
11:28 GMT, 22 August 2015

View
comments

Ahead of LA Galaxy’s clash with New York City on Sunday, Frank Lampard has revealed he was in talks with Californian club back in 2013- but decided against it due to bad timing.

The former England star – who spent the season at NYCFC’s sister club Manchester City – was talked about by the MLS Cup Champions again when he left Chelsea but the move never materialised.

Now Galaxy are preparing to face Lampard for the first time on Sunday, with their own marquee signing after bringing his former international team-mate Steven Gerrard to the USA.

Frank Lampard was close to joining LA Galaxy back in 2013 but the move never materialised

The former Chelsea man joined David Villa (centre right) and Andrea Pirlo as one of New York’s major signings

The midfielder told BBC’s Football Focus: I had a couple of opportunities a couple of years ago.

‘They didn’t happen in the end. It wasn’t the right time for me then and New York was coming round and it’s certainly the right time for me now.’

Galaxy club president Chris Klein has allied these claims and spoke highly of the 37-year-old despite him now playing for their MLS rivals.

Steven Gerrard joined the Galaxy this summer and has impressed so far in centre midfield

Jose Mourinho (left) and Lampard have always had a close relationship, which is why he stayed

The MLS are billing the game as ‘the British invasion’

He told the club website: ‘Really, it was a couple years ago and we came close. He’s a very good player and a good guy, he was someone that we talked to for a long time. Timing just didn’t work out on both sides. We’re happy that he’s here and we’re happy that he’s in the league.

‘It didn’t fall out over money or someone not wanting to be there. They had changes [at Chelsea] when Mourinho went back there and they wanted him to stay. He’s a valuable player as a leader and as a player on the field so he decided to stay. He’s a Chelsea legend and who could blame him for that?’

Klein also revealed that Galaxy didn’t have spots available for Lampard once he decided to leave the Premier League, meaning New York had a free run at the midfielder.

‘No. After that we moved on, we didn’t have [Designated Player] spots, and New York took an interest. Ultimately, we think a lot of Frank as a player and a professional but New York had an interest and they were the ones that ultimately ended up going after them.’