Frank Lampard: Manchester City Move was a 'Real Eye Opener'

Former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has revealed that moving to Manchester City has been a real eye opener and a great new challenge after spending 13 years at Stamford Bridge.

The former England international was released by Chelsea earlier in the summer and following that, he joined City's co-owned MLS franchise New York City FC but, secured a shock loan move to the Etihad for six months.

"The move to Manchester has been a real eye opener and a real test for me because I was in the comfort zone at Chelsea," Lampard told talkSPORT.

"I don't mean that in a negative way, it was just so easy to carry on living in London and playing for Chelsea," he clarified.

Lampard admits that it has been a "great experience" at Manchester so far and is glad that he gets to play at the very highest level with a squad filled with champions. And the former Blue has been impressive netting four goals in six appearances, including one against Chelsea.

"I'm a London boy and always will be, but coming to Manchester has been a great experience, I'm enjoying the challenge and I'm very proud to take it on at this stage of my career."

"At 36 years of age, to be playing with a team of this quality and to be getting games for them, it's an opportunity I had to take and I'm very fortunate to have walked into such a great squad," the former Three Lions midfielder added.

However, Lampard finds it "very strange" and revealed that he never imagined that he would end up playing for the Cityzens. But he believes it was too good an opportunity to turn down.

"Yes it's very strange. I suppose it's easy in a way because I've played at this level for so long. But I would have never imagined it [moving to Man City]," the former Blues midfielder admitted.

"New York was a great opportunity for me and will be in the future, but this was a chance for me to keep playing at a good level and for a fantastic club."