Frank Lampard Feels 'Fantastic' at His Second Coming for New York City

Almost a year after his first unveiling as a New York City FC player, Frank Lampard was back in the old routine. (Steven Gerrard insists football in USA is no holiday for him)

When it was announced the 37 year-old would be joining the new MLS franchise in July 2014, the excitement which pinged around the team's embryonic fan base was quickly spiked with a kick in the proverbials. It stung. Badly. (Lionel Messi does not deserve criticism)

The City Football Group, Manchester City's all encompassing attempt to attain global recognition, decreed the former England midfielder would initially spend six months in the Premier League before, predictably, reneging and deciding to keep him until the end of the season. (Cristiano Ronaldo meets near-nude clone in Tokyo)

Cue anger and vitriol. Yet as the Englishman's second coming took place here in midtown Manhattan on Tuesday, all the talk was of moving purposefully forward rather than agonizingly looking back.

The city boy already appears enraptured with the Big Apple - "I love the sounds, the buzz" - and when he makes his debut on Sunday at the fabled Yankee Stadium, his love affair will deepen.

Yes, there are regrets at what happened the first time around. But now the slate is clean.

Lampard looked enthused about the opportunity to play with David Villa and Italian veteran Andrea Pirlo who will commence playing once his visa is ratified on 21 July. Highly rated City youngster Angelino was also presented here along with Athletic Bilbao defender Andoni Iraola.

NYC FC have been wildly inconsistent yet a push for the play-offs remains a serious possibility.

So was there an element of debt to repay to those who bought season tickets in the hope of seeing Chelsea's record goalscorer start from the off in March?

"I have always been so determined and had moments of decision in my career and I have learned the only way to answer those questions is on the pitch, that's where I am ready to give all my answers," he said.

"I was frustrated during the initial time last year when I stayed in Manchester but it's hard to look back negatively. I just want to start here and do my bit. It wasn't an easy position to be in.

"The way I have been received with the people in the streets has been very positive, if there is a debt I will answer everything on the pitch. It wasn't an easy position for me to be in.

"I am ready now though. My fitness is good, it is a mini pre-season for me, I am doing everything I can to get to peak fitness straight away. They are world class players here like David Villa and Andrea Pirlo. I am used to playing with top players so I can deal with everything here. You have to thrive on pressure."

The irony that Steve Gerrard, his former England team-mate and sparring partner in the Premier League, was going through the same media motions on the west coast was not lost on Lampard.

They will meet for the first time on 23 August in Los Angeles - a date which is already in his diary.

"I played against Steven so many times, it's great that he is in MLS. As soon as I saw that date I penciled it in and I can't wait," he added.

"After all those times playing for England with him and against him for Chelsea, I never envisaged this would happen. But I am pleased it has."

Lampard's father, Frank Sr arrives on Wednesday with other members of his family though the midfielder scoffs at suggestions his 18-month stay in the Big Apple will resemble an extended city break.

"My friends seem to think I am holiday but I have a job to do," he added. "I have been watching a lot of the games in MLS and really cannot wait to get started. To have the chance of playing with players like Pirlo and Villa at this point of my career is fantastic."

"I have got to know David pretty well over the years and we are good friends. He's won everything and it's a huge signal we have players like him at the club.

"The relationships are there. We are not doing as well as we wanted to. Starting off as new isn't easy but there has been an improvement recently. There has been progress and I have no fears."

Is there anything which does worry a player who always seems to exude positivity?

"Well, I've not done the subway yet," he said with a smile. "It's too big to take it all in. And driving a car has been interesting too, I tried that for the first time the other day and think I did OK.

"But all the sounds and the buzz suits me just right."