First of all, I want to make it crystal clear that I am not among Lampard's many followers, neither do I consider him in my list of favourite players.
In spite of the aforementioned fact, it is absolutely certain that Frank Lampard is a living Legend. Without mincing words, the Englishman epitomizes greatness. The runner up in the 2005 World and European footballer of the year awards (both collected by the magical Ronaldinho Gaucho), three time Chelsea player of the year, two time English player of the year, amongst others is undoubtedly among the finest footballers of his generation.
In recent weeks, questions have been raised for the first time in Frank's exceptional playing career, about his ability to remain a consistent performer and command a starting shirt for club and country. This was confirmed when Fabio Capello left him out of the starting line-up in the Euro 2012 qualifier v Bulgaria in Sofia. That was the first time in 9 years that had happened. Capello explained his action...........pointing out the fact that Lamps was not in form. That is totally acceptable. The Italian coach was applauded for such a bold decision. I was also in support. In my opinion, Frank has never replicated club form for Country......he has always been very passive and ordinary in national colours, but for the 'Blues', no footballer (except Gianfranco Zola) has been more influential for them in all my years of watching football.
Chelsea Football club became a constant challenger for all the coveted trophies of Domestic and European trophies when Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003. In fairness, one of the few jewels he met at the London club was Frank Lampard---------a player Claudio Ranieri (the thinker man) signed from fellow London side, West Ham United in June 2001 for a bargain of 11 Million pounds. He didn't come unknown as he had already done great things for West Ham, including leading them to 5th position in the 98-99 EPL season (their highest ever). Then 22 years old, he played in all Chelsea's league games in his maiden season (except the ones he was ineligible for) and went on to garner an unbelievable 164 consecutive league appearances (ended December 28, 2005 v Manchester City), beating the records of David James(159) and Wayne Bridge (113-record for an outfield player). His consistency was unreal.
If Ranieri helped Lamps in his transition from a promising player to a good player, then it was Jose Mourinho who totally transformed the Romford born midfield god to the great player that he is today. When the Portuguese replaced the 'thinker man' in 2004, he immediately made Lampard a better player, by converting him from a central midfield to an attacking midfielder/support striker----------a role which is nicknamed 'trequartista' in Italy, 'enganche' in Argentina. It worked perfectly for all those involved with the West Londoners as it automatically coincided with the Club winning its first League title in 50 years........with the impressive Lampard scoring 13 league goals , including the League clinching brace at the Reebok in April. Lampard thrived in his new role as a result of his excellent goal scoring abilities and his astounding vision which was evident in Mou's first season where he led the EPL assists chart with 16. With Makelele doing the dirty job in midfield, Lampard again made light work of various oppositions in the next season as he improved his goal scoring stats to 16 league goals and 20 in all competitions. Chelsea secured the League title by trouncing Manchester United 3-0 at the Bridge.
Lampard has maintained his remarkable level since then and even the departure of the Portuguese miracle worker didn't in any way dampen his spirit. He has only scored below 20 goals in a season twice since 2003 (04/05-19,10/11-13). The 10-11 season was poor by his standards because he was out for up to four months with injury. In the 09-10 season, his 27 (22 in the league) goals in all competitions was what inspired Ancelotti's Chelsea to their 1st league title in 4 years. Till date, he is the only midfielder that has scored more than 20 league goals in an EPL season. He has broken all sorts of records in the Premier League-------------has scored four goals in one match on two separate occasions and many more. His 141 EPL goals places him at number 8 in the list of highest goal scorers in its history. He is the only midfielder in that exclusive club and if his amazing scoring record continues, he is tipped to displace Les Ferdinand and Michael Owen (who are joint 5th with 149 strikes) at the end of this season. It is no mean feat.
The lad has been capped 86 times (84 as a Chelsea player) by England and has scored 22 goals including holding the record for the highest conversion of successful penalties (7). You don't just achieve all these in a week. Your career has to be blessed to amass all these astonishing acquirements. There is no substitute for quality and class is permanent in any great football player. He hasn't been at his best this season, but as John Terry said when Fabio left Lamps out, 'you only write him off at your own peril'. He has proven time and again that he can deliver on the big days and I do not foresee anything to the contrary.
If I am to rate the best midfielder in the EPL for the last 10 years, FRANK J. LAMPARD is the outstanding and hands on choice. He has been there and he is still there right among the best footballers in World football typified by his breathtaking goals, eye catching assists and all round play. 171 goals, 110 assists as a blue is enough to convince anyone that his days as a major influence at the Bridge are far from over.
Spanish superstar and the World's best striker in 08-09, Fernando Torres is in probably the worst ever period of his phenomenal career. The prolific marksman was signed by Chelsea in January for a whopping sum of 50 million pounds, thus making him the most expensive signing in EPL history and of course in Chelsea 's too. Since then, he has only managed 2 goals (one of them when it was raining) in more than 20 appearances for the pensioners, but up until yesterday, his showing has never really given the fans hope that the dismal form was going to come to an end any time soon. He performed really well in Chelsea's first UCL game of the season vs Leverkusen, setting up 2 goals for Mata and Luiz, but for a man who managed 81 goals in just 142 appearances for Liverpool before jumping ship, it is the goals that will count more than anything else. Everyone, including those sadistic soccer analysts and pundits in Britain, has written him off already.......................a player they once dubbed the best striker in the World barely 18 months ago, has all of a sudden become the worst striker ever. However, yesterday at the TOD (Theatre of Dreams), He was fantastic all through, running at the United rearguard and causing all sorts of problems for the hosts. He capitalized on a rare error by red devils teenage defender Phil Jones, to score a quality goal seconds after the second half began, but the chance he missed afterwards was perhaps the most shocking sporting display of the entire decade.----------------not because other players in his class and level had not committed similar errors, but due to the magnitude of the bizarre way he threw away the opportunity to further pile pressure on Manchester United.
The certitude that El Nino is a World Class player is unarguable. It is only under a huge deal of threat. I have never been agnostic about the genuineness of his greatness, but I have questioned his ability not once, not twice. I mean who wouldn't. A player who scored 24 EPL goals in his debut season, thus eclipsing the record set by Ruud Van Nistelrooy (23 goals in his first season-01-02), destroying many great teams on the way and scored Spain's winner in Euro 2008,... a player who came third in both the European and World footballer of the year awards that same year and is only 27....now playing like someone who has never been on a football pitch. He no longer exudes the confidence of that fearsome predator who scored exceptional goals week in, week out for the merseysiders. Yesterday was different. I could see it in his eyes that he was a man on a mission....a man out to prove that he still has it in him to wreck havoc on any team as he has indeed always done. He is a very good player and he will show it in coming weeks. No one can say he is done because he is aging, he is only 27 and has many more years to torment opponents.
But it is about time he starts living up to his worth and status as a great player. 6 months is enough for even a foreigner to adapt in the League, talk more of someone who registered 65 league goals in 102 appearances for Liverpool. Contrary to most people's views, Fernando Torres is not finished and I am very optimistic and presumptuous that soon, he will prove the world wrong and get back to that frightening form that made him so loved, admired and adored.
I rest my case.
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