Luka Modric

[Slam Dunk 1,442]

So we buy Modric, which means Lampard will have to be benched for the majority of games (big games as well i'd assume), as it's unlikely they'll ever play together...

...What happened under AVB when Lampard was dropped? I seem to remember a fair bit of animosity towards Lampard from some members when the stories in the press came out about him being unhappy.

Are we going to get the same complaints from Frank again? Just a wondering of mine...

[Term-X 7,891]

So we buy Modric, which means Lampard will have to be benched for the majority of games (big games as well i'd assume), as it's unlikely they'll ever play together...

...What happened under AVB when Lampard was dropped? I seem to remember a fair bit of animosity towards Lampard from some members when the stories in the press came out about him being unhappy.

Are we going to get the same complaints from Frank again? Just a wondering of mine...

He said if he's going to be benched he wants to see the team winning. Replacing him with a world class player (Modric), rather than Meireles.. a squad player at best, would be a good start. AVB's subpar man-management skills are partly to blame, and the way he dealt with players (ala Alex & Anelka).

[nadavTKL 1,787]

He said if he's going to be benched he wants to see the team winning.

Do you have a source? havent read it.

[manpe 10,861]

Teams will kill us with a midfield of Mikel- Modric- Mata- Hazard- Hulk/Marin... this is too weak physically and defensively. that will be horrible to watch. We dont need him. So what if he's brilliant? that doesnt mean we need him in our team.

There's no evidence to support that claim. We would have more possession, thus we'd need to defend less than before.

[themightyblue 443]

Possession > Physicality

[Term-X 7,891]

Do you have a source? havent read it.

Direct quote..

"I’ve been here a long time, I’m 33, I’m realistic. It doesn’t mean I want to play every game but, if I sit on the bench, I want to see Chelsea win."

http://www.dailymail...illas-Boas.html

[Shane 2,275]

Direct quote..

"I’ve been here a long time, I’m 33, I’m realistic. It doesn’t mean I want to play every game but, if I sit on the bench, I want to see Chelsea win."

http://www.dailymail...illas-Boas.html

Can't ask for more then that for Frank, and when he scored twice at Newcastle I think it was last season, or Bolton, he was dropped again.

[Justin_3d 1,140]

Do you have a source? havent read it.

http://www.thesun.co...illas-Boas.html

Don't worry, it's all quoted.

[Tomo 21,751]

Do you have a source? havent read it.

Robbie benched Lampard as often as AVB did yet Lampard can't speak highly enough of him (Robbie), that should be enough evidence in itself.

[Slam Dunk 1,442]

Robbie benched Lampard as often as AVB did yet Lampard can't speak highly enough of him (Robbie), that should be enough evidence in itself.

Perhaps (i'm not aware of the specific statistics), but you got the sense that under RDM, Lampard was more trusted with responsibility than under AVB. Even if he was benched, there was the feeling that Frank was still 'the main man' in midfield. Obviously AVB's handling of him didn't help, as TX said, but you can imagine the stories of 'player power' etc. all rearing their heads if Modric were to replace Lampard at the beginning of the season.

Consider how he was playing at the end of the season, he was like a new player in his new role, does he deserve to become second choice behind Modric? And before you say they can share the workload because Lampard is 34, I don't see that happening - Meireles is a squad player, Essien is a squad player. At this moment in time, Lampard is not a squad player, and neither is a £30/40m signing such as Modric.

Frankly, i'm having a hard time seeing this deal as being possible. I'm not convinced we have room for him nor am I convinced we need him.

[Superblue 6,372]

The club is in an extremely difficult position. Given Lampard is just about to turn 34 his ability to play so many games as previous seasons could easily start to diminish and he could start struggling more with injuries where little niggles are no longer possible to play with and a 3 week injury starts to take 4-5 weeks to get over. Alternatively Lampard could also very possibly cope with another 2-3 seasons playing between 30-45 games a season.

[OneMoSalah 8,883]

Heard we will bid 36 million for him, then AVB will sign Joao Moutinho as a direct replacement along with Spurs completing a deal for Gylfi Sigurdson... How about we just sign Moutinho?

[NiclasCFC 2,582]

Heard we will bid 36 million for him, then AVB will sign Joao Moutinho as a direct replacement along with Spurs completing a deal for Gylfi Sigurdson... How about we just sign Moutinho?

Modric is a proven EPL Player is a big point i think

[OneMoSalah 8,883]

Modric is a proven EPL Player is a big point i think

But more effective in an attacking midfield position like he was in for Croatia. We need a slightly deeper playing midfielder, Moutinho = perfect choice. Plus he was unreal at the Euros, would be mad not to at least bid for him

[NiclasCFC 2,582]

But more effective in an attacking midfield position like he was in for Croatia. We need a slightly deeper playing midfielder, Moutinho = perfect choice. Plus he was unreal at the Euros, would be mad not to at least bid for him

Last season when Modric had Parker besides him he got a little more Freedom and with Mikel here i think it will be the same, they could make a great Midfield-partnership.

Moutinho Also played a more offensive role in the Euros compared to Modric in Spurs