Frank Lampard`s hatrick against Bolton was a timely reminder that there is life in the old dog yet and predictions of his imminent demise were premature. However just as it was wrong to claim Lampard was washed up after a slow start to the season, it would be foolish to think he is back to his best.
Lampard`s form over the past few weeks had divided opinion. There are those who have gleefully revelled in the possibility of his career nose diving, and there are those who have staunchly defended his ability and passionately argued the integral part he can still play for club and country. As always the truth lies in between the extremes.
His hatrick against Bolton was impressive but it was against a team who are in dismal form, a team who were ripe for a thrashing. His goal against Valencia was well taken, but that aside he spent most of the match on the periphery. His biggest supporters will argue he often starts slowly before building up a head of steam, but it is clear Villas-Boas does not intend to start him every game. Lamps still retains that knack of knowing the precise moment to arrive in the box, but age has robbed him of his consistency to do it.
Chelsea have finally found the creativity they yearned for in Mata and Mereilles and Ramires has caused Blues fans to forget about Essien. Mikel has his faults but he remains the only natural holding player the blues have. This leaves AVB with a dilemma, Lampard by his own admission has no desire to sit in front of the back four, yet his manager may feel there is no other position Lampard could regularly hold down a starting berth. Lampard may have to accept that there will be games where his talents are more needed than others.
His professionalism throughout the last few fast weeks has been exemplary as it has for his whole career. It is difficult to pinpoint why he has faced so much animosity over the years. Perhaps there is a feeling that his reputation as one of the world’s finest players is ill deserved and he is nothing more than a lucky beneficiary of having all those world class players play beside him.
Perhaps it is his playing style which has always been efficient rather than spectacular, particularly compared to the swashbuckling Gerrard. Or maybe it is his penchant for deflected goals which have seen him derided as `jammy`.
When all said and done however, there is one unmistakable truth about Lampard`s Chelsea career. He has been one of Chelsea Fc`s greatest ever servants, a player who has maximised his potential and helped his club win every honour bar the European cup. For this he deserves eternal respect.
Unfortunately his England career is an entirely different animal. His overall scoring ratio is impressive but his inability to net in the last two World Cups and his mediocre performances in both competitions will leave an indelible stain on his otherwise stellar CV. Jack Wilshere`s injury means Lampard will be afforded more playing time, but he is no longer central to Capello`s plans. Even in his prime Lampard`s performances for the Three Lions were underwhelming to say the least, and it is only right he should now be used sparingly to allow the younger generation to flourish.
The imminent return of Gerrard complicates matters once again. One of the most disappointing aspects of the national team over the past decade is that no manager had the conviction to drop Lampard in order to unleash the full extent of the Gerrard`s powers. Gerrard will be welcomed back into the England fold once fully fit and Capello must give him a final chance to truly produce his mesmeric Liverpool form for his country, at Lampard`s expense if necessary.
Lampard is the consummate professional and he will continue to do his level best to defy the critics, the only way he knows how. It would be wonderful for the Londoner to have another fantastic campaign for the pensioners and lead them to silverware, thus serving up the biggest piece of humble pie. But the days when Lampard was considered an indispensable player for club and country are well and truly behind him.
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giggs is 37 and no fuss and he doesn’t start every game,Lamps is 33 didn’t start 3 games it’s such a big deal.Last season Man u won the title they had Van der sar 41,Giggs 37,Scholes 36,G Neville 36,Rio 31 Brown32 O shea,Park Carrick 31 while chelsea had Lamps and Drogba 33,Anelka 32,Hilario32 and you refer them as pensioneer,Man were younger.When Jt had a scandal with a former girlfriend of W bridges british press executed him.But when Giggs had an affair with the wife of his brother british press looks aside.You said lamps hasnt achieved anything with england team who did?After1966 what achivement did three lion had?It’s Lamps who has underachieved shame on you.You know why?It is typical british press hypocrisy that Lamps plays for chelsea which is owned by a Russian.BIASED BASTARD