THE LAMPARD DEBATE (VIDEO)

Frank Lampard is featured in the press this morning talking of calling time on his career when he runs out of steam and these are most of the headlines you are reading this morning. I have to say looking at Frank Lampard yesterday, he looks as though he will be fitter than ever and raring to go this season so any thoughts of him quitting the game are a few years off yet.

Yesterday he was deployed in a deeper midfield role through the middle next to Yuri Zhirkov to allow Yossi Benayoun the chance to get further forward to support our front three and it worked. There is no coincidence that Benayoun was named man of the match as played really well.

It was Lampard however that has become the focus of speculation this morning as the press are wondering if this "new deeper role" for Lampard could be the part he plays in the Chelsea team this season.

When asked about where he played yesterday he said:

"I have played there for England fairly regularly but I do like to get forward and this won’t be a role that will stop me getting into the box. As long as I’m never told not to stray beyond the half way line, I’ll be happy. I’ve never been that kind of player anyway. Some people can play there but I don’t think so.

Pre-season is always been about getting yourself fresh and I really feel I’m getting there. If I didn’t feel I was getting there I wouldn’t want to hang around too long.

I love getting into box, getting up and down the pitch. I know I can do it now and, hopefully, I can do it for a few more years. I know that day will come although I will probably be sold before then."

(Source)

AVB also spoke of Frank's position yesterday and believes it could be a position that Frank could become very comfortable in so he has the option of using him lying deeper or pushing further forward. He said:

“It’s nothing new for Frank to play in that role, Maybe it prevents him from arriving in the box too early but, on the other hand, it allows him to arrive in the box at the precise time. It’s good that he feels well and gives us that flexibility.

Frank is one of the best players in the world and is more than happy and has the flexibility to play in the No 10, No 8 or a holding position. He’s comfortable with that. He has the ability to do it.”

(Source)

I think it's safe to say that given the choice Frank Lampard would prefer playing further forward you get the impression he is gutted about missing out injured last season when we wee struggling. It's not like he has anything to prove at all to the fans but you really feel that even with 13 goals last term, he wants to get back on the goal trail again this season.

Maybe the Michael Essien injury has forced AVB's hand and IS considering Frank in this deeper lying 4-2-3-1 formation. If that is the case then as Frank said, he will still make his runs into the box and nothing will stop him.

So I am just wondering and asking you the Chelsea fans that know Frank Lampard qualities if you would prefer to see him getting forward, playing further forward, or playing slightly deeper to allow the likes of Benayoun to get forward?

We have to remember it is only pre season and is a time for AVB to try all sorts of things out so we shouldn't get too carried away.

If you want my opinion, I would play Lampard where he is most effective and that's further forward, getting involved and supporting the front men making late runs into the box. After all, he has been doing it for years now at Chelsea and as AVB says, is one of the best players in the world and doing it.

So make sure you give your views and while you think about it, take a look at this video I found on YT that demonstrates why Lampard should keep playing where he is!



KTBFFH

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