Meireles was good at Liverpool last season because they played him in a more forward role, but at Chelsea or even Portugal he's asked to play more defensive - which is quite stupid really since he doesn't like to get "stuck in" Now to your question, Lampard has been crap for most of this season, except for that period after everyone were saying he's done. He slows down everything and i think our midfield looks better without him there - with the exception of the last couple games, where the vast majority of the team have just been rubbish.