New York Red Bulls striker Bradley Wright-Phillips has warned Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard that the pressure will be on them in a big way when they begin their MLS careers.
Chelsea legend Lampard and long-time Liverpool captain Gerrard will play for New York City and Los Angeles Galaxy respectively this season, after leaving the Premier League behind.
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Wright-Phillips, who is the son of former Arsenal record-goalscorer Ian Wright, never really made a splash in England.
He scored just twice in 33 league games for Manchester City, before enjoying a bit more success lower down the footballing pyramid with Brentford, Plymouth, Charlton and Southampton.
However, he has been a major hit in America since moving to the States two years ago.
Wright-Phillips has piled the pressure on Lampard and Gerrard to make sure they enjoy similar success.
He told Sky Sports: “Steven Gerrard’s got a way bigger reputation than I had to live up to, same with Lampard. People are going to expect magic from them, and they’re going to have to do that every week.
“The fans at the Red Bull Arena know what to expect from me – I’m not the player those guys are. I work hard, try to get my goals and put the team first.
“But for them? It’s going to be a lot different. They’re going to be expected to put up good numbers for assists, get their fair share of goals and…I wouldn’t want to be them!”
Gerrard will make his Galaxy debut on Sunday, against Club America in the International Champions Cup.
Lampard will then make his New York City bow against Toronto in the MLS later in the day.
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