🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Frank Lampard

[Joe Ay 66]

Is it just me or did it seem that Lampard was not all that involved in the midfield build-up play in our first two games? Oft the case it would be Mata and Hazard dropping deep to build up play whilst Lampard just bombed forward at every opportunity. I thought RDM said that he would be adapting his role to play deeper and more disciplined this season. But it seems it's the same Lampard style of old.

Also, whilst it does look good when our attacking players drop deep to dictate the tempo, I think it should be the role of our two players in the pivot to do it. Having to drop deep just takes away the effectiveness of their forward play. Don't think its fair for Mata and Hazard having to drop deep whilst Lampard just bombs forward when it's his responsibility to be the one who dictates play from deep. To me, it takes away the balance of the side, and makes him look like a passenger at times.

On another note, I felt Mikel played ok and kept the ball going but always outnumbered in the middle with Frank always going off on his runs forward. I also felt that Ramires often looked lost or was not involved much in play, his passing is just not quick and accurate enough for the possession game. He looks better when we're counter attacking.

[Ollie 4,400]

I think Mikel has been the problem. Mikel is supposed to break up the play and use his dominant physique. Lampard is there so start the move and look for the early killer ball. Mikel has started the season so badly that he's putting more pressure on Lampard and Lampard, as a 34 year old, can't be doing everything in there. I don't think Frank is in the wrong position, just Mikel is playing like a total twat next to him.

[themightyblue 443]

He is the reason why we've been looking vulnerable at times

[Jase 43,479]

Is it just me or Lampard has become a scapegoat here after the departure of Bosingwa and Kalou?

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

I think for the quicker type of football we're trying to play both are not up to it to be honest. Mikel isn't a strong bulldog/destroyer type which I think you need in a 4-2-3-1. He is too slow (passing wise) and passive. Good to use when we need to slow down the game or need to shut up shop.

On the other hand Lampard is not good enough at linking the play. He loses the ball far too much making what should be routine and simple passes. As mentioned before he also bombs forward too much. He needs to realise when to go and when to stay. I think Oscar in time can perfect this role as he seems to gracefully drift across the field.

From his time in the Brazil squad and what I've heard about his days at Internacional he makes good runs into the box as well without overdoing it as Frank is doing. The biggest challenge will of course be the physical side but I think Ramires/Essien and Oscar/Romeu would truly be better choices.

[Spike 12,049]

Is it just me or Lampard has become a scapegoat here after the departure of Bosingwa and Kalou?

As long as the debacle of Lampard vs AVB (which resulted in so many users attacking Lamps with many foul mouthed insults) doesn't repeat, I'm sure everything will turn out fine.

[Joe Ay 66]

I think Mikel has been the problem. Mikel is supposed to break up the play and use his dominant physique. Lampard is there so start the move and look for the early killer ball. Mikel has started the season so badly that he's putting more pressure on Lampard and Lampard, as a 34 year old, can't be doing everything in there. I don't think Frank is in the wrong position, just Mikel is playing like a total twat next to him.

I'd say that Lampard is not without blame too. He's just too keen in getting forward at all times and doesnt seem interested in building up play from the middle. It'd be interesting to see whether a Mikel-Romeu combo would work.

[themightyblue 443]

Is it just me or Lampard has become a scapegoat here after the departure of Bosingwa and Kalou?

Don't think it's scapegoating at all. I saw a link yesterday to another forum (Think it was a City one) and even highlighted how Lamps has no discpline whatsoever. As things stand, he's not playing his role in the team and is getting forward far too often

[Jase 43,479]

Don't think it's scapegoating at all. I saw a link yesterday to another forum (Think it was a City one) and even highlighted how Lamps has no discpline whatsoever. As things stand, he's not playing his role in the team and is getting forward far too often

Not denying that Lampard has been culpable at times but really, people seem to be blowing things out of proportion by suggesting that he is the main reason for our defensive and passing problems. Torres has misplaced countless of passes upfront and how come I don't see people criticizing him as much as they do now with Lampard? Heck, even Mata has made some poor passes in midfield lately that put us unnecessary pressure and how come I don't see people getting on his back?!

While Lampard may not be the greatest of passers, he's still good at it but people seem to be making it out worse than it is. Furthermore, he is only one in the team right now who is capable of playing in the double pivot role right now. The fact is, until we find ourselves a player who is suitable to be playing there, we can't just toss Lampard out of the starting XI. He will still play an important role for us this season.

[Kezza 1,965]

At the rate of penalties, Lamps will have hit 200 goals by the time December rolls around

[Jase 43,479]

At the rate of penalties, Lamps will have hit 200 goals by the time December rolls around

Think he only needs 15 more goals to be the club's leading all time goalscorer.

[Milan 17,957]

Eden looks really helpful in this sense. Winning penalties, having great crosses - something Lampard really does enjoy.

[Hutcho 8,443]

It seems to me that lampards age is getting referenced far too much.. Yes he is not exceptionally quick but he was never breakneck speed anyway, it was his tactical awareness positioning and timing that made him deadly.. He is still adjusting to his deeper role and i think he still has that... Also there has been nothing to suggest he doesn't have the same level of fitness many of the others have... He was still motoring forward and back towards the end of the game yesterday and looked to still have the stamina required... Admittedly he has not played amazingly over the first two games but saying the defensive error were down to him is a bit extreme. For example, mikel in the first game gave the ball away about 7 times and ivanovic has in both games appeared to be ripped apart at times in his right back position. Atm, compared to the alternatives he is the best we have at starting off the attacks from deep (the exception being oscar who has only been in the squad a week and isn't really a DM either). I think he needs to be a little more disciplined as at times he still thinks he is a CAM venturing forward in great positions like he has done BRILLIANTLY for all those years, and hopefully a bit more of a word from RDM and he can make a few adjustments...

Anyway we need him on to convert all the penalties that eden is gonna win for us.. Really hope he can get to that 203 goal mark to become our top scorer, which is 15 goals away, would be an extremely special moment for him and all of us...

[Joe Ay 66]

Not denying that Lampard has been culpable at times but really, people seem to be blowing things out of proportion by suggesting that he is the main reason for our defensive and passing problems. Torres has misplaced countless of passes upfront and how come I don't see people criticizing him as much as they do now with Lampard? Heck, even Mata has made some poor passes in midfield lately that put us unnecessary pressure and how come I don't see people getting on his back?!

While Lampard may not be the greatest of passers, he's still good at it but people seem to be making it out worse than it is. Furthermore, he is only one in the team right now who is capable of playing in the double pivot role right now. The fact is, until we find ourselves a player who is suitable to be playing there, we can't just toss Lampard out of the starting XI. He will still play an important role for us this season.

I actually think Lampard is decent passer of the ball. And I think if he could be a decent pivot player, if only he maintained his tactical discipline, i.e. picking out passes in the middle of the park, making himself available for the short option (i.e. the water carrier role that deschamps played so well) and refraining himself from bombing forward too often.

If you watched our last game, you'd notice he didn't have too many touches in the middle, and was always too keen to join the attack, leaving mata and hazard to build from deep. I know it's his instincts to go forward and score, but he should leave that to our front players now that we've added creativity up top. What I'd like to see from him is if he could pull a selfless shift in the middle and not hunt for goals too often. He can always score from penalties.

[Madmax 9,219]

Hazard's going to turn him into the league's top scorer at this rate.

[DYC. 7,542]

I'd say that Lampard is not without blame too. He's just too keen in getting forward at all times and doesnt seem interested in building up play from the middle. It'd be interesting to see whether a Mikel-Romeu combo would work.

I'd like to see that as well. With Mikel staying deep, Romeu can chase players and try to break up play early. And he has shown that he has the ability to start attacks from deep.

It's the only way I can see the double pivot working over a whole season and against top sides (without parking the bus).

[Hutcho 8,443]

Hazard's going to turn him into the league's top scorer at this rate.

No hazard is gonna end the season:

0 goals 50 assists... First ballon d'or winner not to score...

[termninja 5,290]

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

It seems to me that lampards age is getting referenced far too much.. Yes he is not exceptionally quick but he was never breakneck speed anyway, it was his tactical awareness positioning and timing that made him deadly.. He is still adjusting to his deeper role and i think he still has that... Also there has been nothing to suggest he doesn't have the same level of fitness many of the others have... He was still motoring forward and back towards the end of the game yesterday and looked to still have the stamina required...

It's ridiculous. We played a whole whack of games under RDM last season and Lampard was amazing (and please, spare me the "parking the bus" crap, we only did that in 3 games, Lampard was playing in central midfield ). He played very well in the central midfield role. If you looked at the problems Chelsea had last season under RDM, central midfield was among the least of them. Suddenly, it's the biggest problem. Why? Are Chelsea having trouble scoring? Nope....Has the central midfield been responsible for costly defensive mistakes? Nope. I get it, the central midfield doesn't allow Chelsea to keep possession, right?...Wait, they had 72% possession yesterday. So, why the sudden need to get rid of Mikel and Lampard? It's simply the fetishization of the new. People want new players, young players, players who do skill moves on youtube videos (as if step-overs help you win championships) It's like people are shopaholics for new players. There is no need to change a part of the team that has not been a problem under RDM. Lampard does not need to be fast. He does not need to stay static in the midfield. Mikel does not need to boss the game. They're fine. You are basically creating conditions for these players where everything will be their fault. Go buy some players on football manager. It will make you feel better.

[Jase 43,479]

IIRC, he now has scored 38 out of his 41 penalties in the league. I know Shay Given and Tim Krul saved two of those. Can't quite remember who is the other one.