Who will be Lampard's long-term replacement?

[Ollie 4,400]

There wont be a direct replacement. We're a different type of team now. The 3 CAMs are quick, energetic and dynamic, the 2 CDMs are CDMs. I don't see a Lampard there. Mata will be the next legend though.

[GodZola 630]

Think there is a few ways of looking at this.

Firstly, i don't see any player currently at the club that will 'fill Frank's boots' - that is no detriment to them but you simply cannot teach the instinct in how Frank arrives in the right place and finds that space to score so many goals season after season from midfield the obvious choices have been mentioned but will they stay 5 years let alone more than 10 and keep up that consistency he has shown throughout their tenure?

Secondly i believe that the goals will be shared from midfield area's rather than rely on mostly one player, we have so much more threat now with Mata, Hazard, Oscar, we even have Ramires and Luiz chipping in, although Hazard and Oscar need to improve there accuracy, especially in league games - a season under their belt will do wonders.

It makes no sense whatsoever to let Frank leave, just keep him at the club to help bring along the talented attacking players and let him keep doing what he does best - chip in with some match winning performances, those 2 goals against Everton are a perfect reminder to the board and to the younger players.

[Spike 12,049]

Juan Mata is doing a great job replacing Lampard's goals and assists. Lamps is too unique of a player to just replace, I honestly can't name another person who plays in a similar style to Lamps.

[Styles 9,790]

If we were still a 4-3-3 team I'd have thought Oscar would be the ideal replacement; technically brilliant, good passer, scores and creates goals and surprisingly adept at pressing/tackling. You'd think with more experience and physical strength he would become the new midfield linchpin.

But we've become a different team tactically. Our front players have changed and as a result our midfield and what is required of it has changed too.

For the role Lampard plays in the team now (as one of two players in that 4-2-3-1 formation) I doubt the replacement will be like for like. It'll be somebody with a different skill-set and more of a deep-lying playmaker.

[OneMoSalah 8,887]

Never mind replacing Lamps, how about sign a player that suits the fucking system for once instead of getting 4 players who all play the same position and trying to play a 0-0-5-5

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Because I know that no academy products/youngers will actually get a shot.. Bastian Schweinsteiger anyone?

[The only place to be 11,313]

Never mind replacing Lamps, how about sign a player that suits the fucking system for once instead of getting 4 players who all play the same position and trying to play a 0-0-5-5

The original target was Modric, and when we didn't get him we went after Oscar so I really do want to see what he can do in that position because he's going to struggle to force Mata out of the number 10 spot. He has the vision and he has a surprisingly high workrate and level of toughness so it's just a case of giving him games there alongside either Mikel or Luiz.

[Fulham Broadway 17,339]

KDb is the closest we have to a lampard replacement. Oscar is more of attacking mid who can do a job in the pivot. Josh i dont think will make it(atleast for next 2 seasons).

Kdb will be given chance next season in lamps position if it doesnt work out we'll buy someone.

Agree. Theres a few others after him -so our board in their wisdom will doubtless let him go.

http://www.insidefutbol.com/2013/01/03/three-way-battle-breaking-out-in-germany-for-chelsea-starlet-kevin-de-bruyne/76285/

[Chelsea? 892]

Same guy that replaced Zola, Drogba and Makalele.

[Chelsea? 892]

Because I know that no academy products/youngers will actually get a shot.. Bastian Schweinsteiger anyone?

considering no Chelsea academy "reject" has ever made it big anywhere, I'm thinking Chelsea are right not to give chances to every academy kid.

[nadavTKL 1,787]

The fact we need a CM doesnt have anything to do with Lampard or his departure, we need a CM who suits our current style of play, or at least the style we are trying to play. I can see Oscar developing to be that kind of player but it could take time, too much time, right now Benitez doesnt even try him there so it cant be too close. For me this position is such a weakness in the team i would have brought a CM this January right after we got Ba, if i was the one who call the shots. My favourite is Moutinho.

[Hysteria 159]

Nobody. If his remplacement is good enough he will make his own name.

[Rambo 1,729]

We'll have to lower our expectations, same with how Drogba left us this year...we'll be extremely lucky if another player graces this club of Frank's caliber, professionalism and love for the club.

[Rambo 1,729]

Same guy that replaced Zola, Drogba and Makalele.

I don't recall any player "replacing" the likes of those 3.

[Kezza 1,965]

If Benitez has any say, it'll be Torres.

[Laylabelle 9,536]

If Benitez has any say, it'll be Torres.

Pretty sure if Cech leaves to he'll replace him with Torres..or just clone him many times and play in every postions

[ZanSnake 1,211]

Lampard clone

[The only place to be 11,313]

I'm starting to really think Mata will take over a lot of what Lampard brings to the team (goals, playmaking, set-pieces) and someone else will take over the deep-lying playmaker position that Lampard has moved into over the last season and a half. That's for Oscar, KDB and McEachran to fight over.

I also think Mata can claim the talismanic role Lampard assumed in his time at the club.

[SeB 1,281]

Mata improved a lot his movement off the ball, he makes more and more late runs to score like Lampard always used to.

But Lampard is a concept player: hard working player with clever off the ball when pushing forward. Creative as well. There's no need to search the new Lampard as long as that's your players that dictates you the system to use and not the opposite

[Milan 17,959]

One thing or aspect a lot of people tend to forget - Lampard is also very English in the sense of being hard and tough. His sliding tackles have in most cases been inch perfect, always getting the ball. I've always loved and admired this aspect of his game.