Frank Lampard will struggle to tear himself away from Manchester City's Premier League title battle with former club, Chelsea, to join New York City FC, admits Manuel Pellegrini.
Lampard is due to end his Etihad Stadium loan stint in January and link up with new club New York, after leaving Chelsea last summer but Pellegrini is likely to hold talks with Lampard and Major League Soccer franchise New York before Christmas to find a solution to suit all parties.
"That's why we're going to have to make the best decision for him, for the club, for New York City, for everyone," said Pellegrini, conceding Lampard would not want to desert the champions' quest to retain their title.
"I will continue to answer this question in the same way: we are going to decide in December when we have to make the decision, what will happen with Frank."
Lampard only pitched up at City, ostensibly to stay match-fit ahead of his move to New York, part-run by Manchester club's owners.
Pellegrini has been hugely impressed by Lampard's attitude and influence, however, conceding he remains intent on pushing to extend the former England star's stay at City.
"I don't think anyone can find it strange the way Frank Lampard plays football, he knows all what you must do to win in this sport," said Pellegrini.
"Maybe he's not able at 36 to play three games in a row in the same week, maybe he cannot play 90 minutes every game.
"Because he played 90 minutes in midweek that was why it wasn't good for him to start again, but he played a very good 25 minutes and he always makes the difference because he's a top player.
"Frank is not only a top player, he's a great professional also, he's a great professional and a great person.
"He's very happy here in our team, I think that Frank also enjoys the way we play because he makes the difference in the last 25 to 30 metres, so he's very happy here and we're very happy with him."
City leapfrogged Southampton in the Premier League table in a comfortable victory that rammed home the size of Saints' task in clinging on to their early-season top-four berth.
