World Cup Qualifiers: The Gerrard/Lampard Debate

John Terry has been ruled out of Saturday qualifying match with Kazakhstan. This could be a good thing for England, as the Ferdinand/ Terry center back combo has not really been what it should be in recent games. Seeing how Ferdinand works with another center back will be a good thing for England. The dilemma, however, is not the one that everyone will be watching on Saturday. The focus will be on the pairing in midfield. The Gerrard/Lampard debate has always been a two fold one. One, who is the better player? And two, how should England play them together in midfield? The first question, in my opinion, shouldn't even be a question. Steven Gerrard is BY FAR the superior player.

Frank Lampard has been a consistently terrific player during his career with Chelsea. He has been exceptional this season. He is, however, blessed with playing for a squad that has allowed him to blossom in his very defined role. I don't want to say that he is a product of the system at Chelsea, because that robs him of any true credit for his accomplishments. But extraordinary players and talent have surrounded him since Abramovich's arrival at Stamford Bridge. His runs forward come with no concern for position, as has always been soundly backed by a solid defense in midfield, as well as the backline. He is great at jumping on rebounds or finding a seam for his teammates to set him up, but he rarely creates or controls the play. He is dependent upon others for his offense, most of the time.

This isn't to say that he isn't capable of a great pass, or a short run for a goal. Lampard has the ability to maneuver his way into an open shot and score class goals. His shot can be excellent (not while playing for England though), and his corners and free kicks are of decent quality, although not as good as Gerrard. In terms of a defensive presence, it is non-existent. He is a dreadful tackler and loses more balls than he wins. He is class attacking midfield player, a great player even, but he would never flourish outside of Chelsea in the same way.

Gerrard, on the other hand, is the spark that has ignited Liverpool over the last five years. He is the quintessential box-to-box midfielder, providing help on defense and driving the attack. He can sit back and direct an offense (although he has a penchant for some risky balls, that sometimes get him in trouble), or he can get forward with amazing runs and make a perfect pass or be a scoring threat from close or long range. When it comes to this long-range ability, he is as good as anyone in the world in firing or placing one in the back of the net.
Perhaps the most important part of his game is his instinctual play. Gerrard always seems to be a play ahead of everyone else. His leading passes or give and gos can be spectacular, because he is reading things so much faster than the defense.

Gerrard lifts up the Reds and carries them when they are in tough situations. How many times have we seen it? Last year against Derby, it was like he just decided he was going to take over and win the game, and he did. He is a true leader and captain for Liverpool, a star who can create and do things that few players have ever done on the pitch.

To be honest, I think it is ridiculous that anyone could see Lampard as being at the same level of Gerrard. For all of Lampard’s goal scoring and consistency, I don’t believe I’ve ever heard anyone make a solid argument for the Chelsea midfielder being a better player. Does he fit in well with Chelsea? Yes, and maybe that’s where the problem lies. This brings us to the problem with England.

The England Dilemma
The problem with Gerrard/Lampard is that they both have to play in center midfield. Gerrard can spread out to a wing or even play a stretch at right back if he absolutely had to. He even has the pace to join a forward up front. His preferred and most effective role is in the center mid. The versatility is what hampers him. Playing both in midfield just isn’t practical, unless you want to put the reigns on one of them, and limit the impact they could have on the attack.

Lampard has the ability to run a midfield on the attack, but he needs to be surrounded by quality defensive midfielders. He has had the luxury of Makelele, Essien, and Ballack playing along side him. Gerrard can play this role, but he won’t always be able to cover for Lampard, if instinct kicks in, he will have to make his runs.

I believe that Capello will ultimately have to either chose one or put Gerrard right in behind Rooney at center attacking midfield with Lampard and Barry behind him and two wings flanking. If you are going to have Defoe, Heskey, or Crouch up front with Rooney, it will have to be one or the other. I believe that eventually it will be Hargreaves or Barry with Gerrard in center midfield and Lampard off the bench as a late goal-scoring substitute.

It does look like Capello prefers Lampard to take the far and angled free kicks, with Gerrard taking the more straight on ones. Lampard is also lining up for more corners. Lampard is very consistent, but when he plays badly, his confidence suffers greatly and he plays dreadful football. That is exactly what happened in the last World Cup. Gerrard never has a crisis of confidence. He can be playing poorly and still pull out a classic goal.

If they can put together a string of games in qualifying and find some cohesion, maybe just maybe the combo can work. Games against the likes of Kazakhstan are great trials, but the real test will come against the big competition.