Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 10y

Nasri: Lampard will help City UCL push

Samir Nasri believes Frank Lampard can help Manchester City to finally make a major impact in the Champions League.

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France midfielder Nasri was part of the City side that qualified from the group stages last season, only to be knocked out by Barcelona in the round of 16.

Lampard, 36, who has joined the Premier League champions on loan from New York City FC, captained Chelsea as they won the Champions League in 2012, and also scored in their 2008 final defeat to Manchester United.

The Londoners also reached the semifinals six times during his 13-year stay at Stamford Bridge, and Nasri told The Sun: "Frank's a great player, and any team will benefit from his experience.

"We will particularly benefit from having him in the Champions League, because that's where we need to improve this year.

"He's won it, and I think he can help us. It's good that he's an English player too, as we've had a little problem with that."

City are short of English players, with Joleon Lescott and Gareth Barry leaving over the summer and Scott Sinclair, Jack Rodwell and Micah Richards all surplus to requirements.

Lampard is City's third central midfield signing this summer after Fernando and youngster Bruno Zuculini, who is likely to be a member of the Elite Development Squad.

He will be one of New York City FC's designated players when they enter Major League Soccer in 2015, with the former Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Spain forward David Villa another.

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