Everton's American goalkeeper Tim Howard has suggested Major League Soccer should force Frank Lampard to join New York City FC when his loan expires in January -- though he doesn't expect it to happen.
Lampard signed with NYCFC this year but as they do not begin play until March, the midfielder has spent the fall on loan to Manchester City, who co-own the MLS expansion club with the New York Yankees baseball team.
The loan is set to expire at the end of this month, but Man City are keen to extend Lampard's stay past the agreed-upon date as the 36-year-old has scored six goals in 15 appearances for the Premier League champions.
But Howard says his country's top professional league should try to prevent the loan from being extended and blamed MLS for allowing the loan to happen in the first place.
"The MLS have made their own problem," Howard told British newspapers. "New York is owned by Man City. Frank Lampard is playing at Man City, doing very well.
"Man City own the world ... and I think Frank being part of a title-winning team is a little higher up their priorities. [MLS] made that bed."
Howard said he believes MLS can do do little to force Lampard to leave Manchester.
"Perhaps they will have to slap Frank on the wrists and tell him he has to go to New York. But I don't think that's going to happen," Howard said.
Aside from the Lampard drama, Howard spoke well of MLS, though he said he's not ready to leave the Premier League to play at home just yet.
"The league there is flourishing. Every team now has its own specific stadium, pretty much. And money is being spent," Howard said.
"You have had Thierry Henry and David Beckham there. When I went to Man United, David went to Real Madrid and then LA. The same with Henry. Arsenal to Barcelona to New York.
"But it's not on my radar at the moment. I have a wonderful work and personal life here."