Frank Lampard

[Hutcho 8,443]

Does anyone actually have him in their team for next season? Assuming we stick with the 4231, is there anyone here who isn't saying we need to buy someone to play in his position?

Personally, if we're playing Man United then I'm picking this new guy (for argument's sake, Modric) next to a holding midfielder. Lamps is on the bench in this game. If we're playing some random 4th seed in the Champions League, then I'd pick Lamps to start.

Now the problem in this scenario is whether that gets him in the England squad for Brazil.

He is definitely in my team. But not a guarenteed starter. He would still be a very useful bench player and rotation option. Lampard can still do it against the teams in the prem. And if i use your example of modric, in games where we will dominate, i.e. the lower league teams or the big boys at home then modric would be the man you would pick because of the fact that style would benefit us. Against a team where we may have our backs to the wall, he would be in my team. Just for his long range passing to give us an out ball, and his experience etc. Also against the likes of Wigan he can be a great player to bring on in search of a goal if needed, and would be able to make an impact in the last 30 mins of a game.

And i agree that you brought up the formation factor because it does depend, If moirinho comes back and opts to switch to a 4-3-3 then assuming we bring in another central midfielder he still wouldn't be an auto starter but may have a much bigger role.

[The only place to be 11,313]

He is definitely in my team. But not a guarenteed starter. He would still be a very useful bench player and rotation option. Lampard can still do it against the teams in the prem. And if i use your example of modric, in games where we will dominate, i.e. the lower league teams or the big boys at home then modric would be the man you would pick because of the fact that style would benefit us. Against a team where we may have our backs to the wall, he would be in my team. Just for his long range passing to give us an out ball, and his experience etc. Also against the likes of Wigan he can be a great player to bring on in search of a goal if needed, and would be able to make an impact in the last 30 mins of a game.

And i agree that you brought up the formation factor because it does depend, If moirinho comes back and opts to switch to a 4-3-3 then assuming we bring in another central midfielder he still wouldn't be an auto starter but may have a much bigger role.

See, why would we plan to have our backs to the wall? Why would we give up possession and allow teams to dominate us?

I think what you're saying (without wanting to explicitly say it) is that if we pick Lampard against a certain level of opponent then we simply won't be able to control the tempo of the game because that isn't, and never has been his strong suit.

I agree he'd be a useful bench option/rotation player when we're either chasing a game or simply looking to rest players, but if we actually used him as much as we've been using him this season then I don't think we can contend for a title. He's scored some great goals this season but in far too many games the midfield (i.e. him and Ramires) have been the weak link in our side, neither offering the defence enough protection or dominating and retaining possession effectively.

[Hutcho 8,443]

See, why would we plan to have our backs to the wall? Why would we give up possession and allow teams to dominate us?

I think what you're saying (without wanting to explicitly say it) is that if we pick Lampard against a certain level of opponent then we simply won't be able to control the tempo of the game because that isn't, and never has been his strong suit.

I agree he'd be a useful bench option/rotation player when we're either chasing a game or simply looking to rest players, but if we actually used him as much as we've been using him this season then I don't think we can contend for a title. He's scored some great goals this season but in far too many games the midfield (i.e. him and Ramires) have been the weak link in our side, neither offering the defence enough protection or dominating and retaining possession effectively.

Against the likes of barca and real madrid, it may be something we have to do...

I think its a bit harsh to say that with him as a regular we can't contend for a title. As it depends what we do. We could sign a midfilder and move to a 4-3-3 which is always been his role and we could contend. I agree, he won't have a huge role. But that isn't down to lampard that is down to the manager and whether we sign anyone. Also atm Lampard is being played because he is our best option, as we have very few players who suit the double pivot in our formation. But i do agree, we are not the possession based team, we perhaps were trying to be (through the signings of oscar and hazard) with a lampard rambo pivot as it is not their style of play. As both are better for counter attacking football with rambo's stamina and lampards long range passing. However neither are suited to the quick short pass and move style that we need if we want to dominate and retain possession.

[Styles 9,790]

His affect on the team? Yeah because scoring doesn't have an affect on the team... Oh wait...

Well he plays like a striker so you would hope that he does score goals. Otherwise what's the use of him if he isn't scoring? He clearly isn't doing much else according the stats.

I want my midfielders to pass well, tackle and be competitive in the middle of the park. Lampard doesn't do that.

[Hutcho 8,443]

Well he plays like a striker so you would hope that he does score goals. Otherwise what's the use of him if he isn't scoring? He clearly isn't doing much else according the stats.

I want my midfielders to pass well, tackle and be competitive in the middle of the park. Lampard doesn't do that.

He doesn't play as a striker though does he. He plays in the pivot but drifts forward. And if you actually think he plays like a striker then what are you watching considering he drops deep to collect the ball all the time. And if your just basing everything off stats, then whats the point, i could just say lamps has more key passes, goals and assists than his midfield rivals over his whole career. But because you want to base it of his last 30 games then that proves everything. You could also point out the fact that he has to shoot more because all season we have played a guy who has been more than useless at doing it. Stats also don't tell you how he has bossed several games this season. And because he hasn't had the immediate final pass before someone scores doesn't change that.

[Styles 9,790]

He doesn't play as a striker though does he. He plays in the pivot but drifts forward. And if you actually think he plays like a striker then what are you watching considering he drops deep to collect the ball all the time. And if your just basing everything off stats, then whats the point, i could just say lamps has more key passes, goals and assists than his midfield rivals over his whole career. But because you want to base it of his last 30 games then that proves everything. You could also point out the fact that he has to shoot more because all season we have played a guy who has been more than useless at doing it. Stats also don't tell you how he has bossed several games this season. And because he hasn't had the immediate final pass before someone scores doesn't change that.

He really does. He spends more time in and around the box than the 4 players ahead of him and his partner in midfield is left doing the work of two men. He continually shoots when there are other and better options because he is fixated with scoring goals. He has clearly put his own personal scoring records ahead of anything else THIS season and the stats prove that. His passing stats are down, no assists and he shoots more than anybody else. This is terrible midfield play whichever way you want to look at it.

[Hutcho 8,443]

He really does. He spends more time in and around the box than the 4 players ahead of him and his partner in midfield. He continually shoots when there are other and better options because he is fixated with scoring goals. He has clearly put his own personal scoring records ahead of anything else THIS season and the stats prove that. His passing stats are down, no assists and he shoots more than anybody else. This is terrible midfield play whichever way you want to look at it.

I don't think that is the case. Because of where he plays, he is often on the edge of the box and due to a lack of movement the ball is often pulled back to him as opposed to being crossed, but if there are no options and he has space he is gonna attempt to shoot, because he is one of the best at it.

And i don't see how anyone can think he puts his own scoring record ahead of the team. Lampard, is probably the last person barring Terry whose committment cannot really be questioned.

[NishC300 1,865]

I see ppl above (didn't bother reading all of it) r having a discussion on Lamps' goals. He has the eye to sense a goal every time. Just wondering what would any of u think if Lampard had played his whole career as a striker?

[Styles 9,790]

I don't think that is the case. Because of where he plays, he is often on the edge of the box and due to a lack of movement the ball is often pulled back to him as opposed to being crossed, but if there are no options and he has space he is gonna attempt to shoot, because he is one of the best at it.

And i don't see how anyone can think he puts his own scoring record ahead of the team. Lampard, is probably the last person barring Terry whose committment cannot really be questioned.

This is where you and I differ quite a lot. And that goes for both players not just Lampard.

[Caeruleus 1,148]

[Hutcho 8,443]

This is where you and I differ quite a lot. And that goes for both players not just Lampard.

We do indeed. Looks like we will have to agree to disagree.

[Jype 6,398]

I am slowly starting to accept the fact he will be gone in the summer. I just hope he will hit the record before that so he will be able to leave on a high note, having won nearly every trophy there is to win and becoming the club's all time top scorer in the process. What has he got left to prove once he's broken the record? This season he's been chasing it and as a result he's once again scored a bucketload of goals but would the hunger still be there next year if he stayed?

It's a great thing watching Frank Lampard score one of his trademark goals but he isn't suited to playing in a midfield of two, at least not anymore, and I don't think we should be adjusting the tactics to better suit a 35-year-old. If he really is leaving, I will forever miss him but to be entirely honest I think someone like KdB could offer the team a bit more and more likely than not the club will also be in the market for at least one new midfielder who too would be ahead of Lamps in the pecking order. Call me cynical but I kind of understand the club's decision of not wanting to keep a player on such high wages who's not that influential anymore. Also, I believe this has got something to do with the fact that with Lampard leaving the next manager would then be able to start with a clean slate and it'd be a clear message to the players that the days of player power are over at Chelsea and that no one is indispensable.

Letting go of club legends is not unheard of, most clubs do it when it's time to move on but none of them get the stick Chelsea are getting for this now. Sure, I agree that the club should be handling this situation with a lot more class but you can't always get what you want, especially with non-football people in charge of the club. Nonetheless, I would be really happy if he got the extension and stayed with slightly smaller wages and a smaller squad role but clearly I'm not as much against him moving on as some people.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Do people not watch games? All Frank does is score? What the hell? Lets completely forget the immense through balls he's continuously been producing. He's not a striker in midfield at all, it's just his natural game. If you've watched Chelsea over the last decade you'd know. He still contributes well defensively and does a decent job at distributing the ball. His goals are important and they always change games. "Just goals". Isn't that what football is about in the end? Out scoring your opposition?

[The only place to be 11,313]

Do people not watch games? All Frank does is score? What the hell? Lets completely forget the immense through balls he's continuously been producing. He's not a striker in midfield at all, it's just his natural game. If you've watched Chelsea over the last decade you'd know. He still contributes well defensively and does a decent job at distributing the ball. His goals are important and they always change games. "Just goals". Isn't that what football is about in the end? Out scoring your opposition?

It's all very good scoring goals but if the midfield isn't controlling the tempo and protecting the defence then it doesn't matter if he scores a goal every game - we're going to concede goals.

This is the problem for Lamps. If we still played like we did a few years ago then he'd still have a place in the team. But even his most ardent supporters will probably admit that we need to but someone to play in the position he currently occupies.

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

actually Frank does not shoot that often, his conversion ratio is actually one of the best in the game. His passing might have declined a bit, but that is also due to his role in the pivot so he has to increase the range of his long passes. I reckon most of his partial "decline" is a result of this dreadful 4-2-3-1. IMO this formation is a stark misunderstanding. It worked for DiMatteo, but we played it as counterattacking formation with Kalou and Ramireswho are rather wingers than mata and oscar vs liverpool, tottenham, barca,bayern etc hence we had a tough time under RDM when we had to make the game on our own vs all the smaller teams and he himself altered the tactics in 2012/13 with mikel+ramires in the pivot and a high line, still the lack of adequat players hampered its success. Even when Lampard leaves a 4-3-3 is still the better formation with the players we got, esp with de Bruyne coming back.

Lamps lack of assists is not only due to his more defensive role but the lack of a striker, when on at the same time as demba ba he usually has fed him with great balls like he did with Drogba. The 3 CAMs are mainly responsible for the creativity, so look at other CMs playing in the pivot, actually we should be happy with Lamps output, cos he is way more productive than the likes of Schweinsteiger, Modric, Xabi Alonso, who play in the exact same position but have waaaay less scorer points. Lamps compensate the lack of scoring form the striker, so he is more of a midfielder+a striker.