If Frank Lampard is wavering on interest from the LA Galaxy, the English midfield star may be feeling some pushback from his national team coach.
After Lampard scored England’s winner at Wembley in Wednesday’s 2-1 friendly victory over Brazil, Roy Hodgson suggested that an MLS move might make it harder for him to select the soon-to-be ex-Chelsea man into the national team.
“I hope we will keep Frank in England,” Hodgson said. “I know he will have a lot of offers if Chelsea do decide they're prepared to let him go. I'm rather hoping we'll still see him if not in England, then Europe, which will make my task easier.”
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Lampard is six caps short of 100 for his career and hopes to reach the milestone. His former teammate, David Beckham, had no such problem after joining the Galaxy from Real Madrid back in 2007. The former England captain continued to receive call-ups from former England coach Fabio Capello and reached cap No. 100 while on LA's roster — although his frequent cross-Atlantic trips were a source of debate both in his homeland and in MLS circles.
Lampard’s name has been mentioned frequently as a replacement for Beckham in Los Angeles with the Galaxy having a Designated Player space free. The two-time World Cup veteran is in the final year of his Chelsea contract, and the London club does not plan on bringing the 34-year-old back.
“If he goes further afield and follows David, it complicates matters,” Hodgson said. “But it doesn't mean your career is over with England. But the further afield you go, the more problematic it gets for the media and the England manager to follow you.”
