Michael Ballack v Frank Lampard: Who Would You Choose?
Upon hearing the news that Chelsea had signed Deco from Barcelona, I was struck with one overwhelming thought – how many 30 something midfielders does Luiz Felipe Scolari have at his disposal?
The answer is four – Claude Makelele, Deco, Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard. The significant thing about them all being they all prefer to operate in a central midfield position. When you consider that Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel are also competing for a spot in the middle of the park, it highlights that something has got to give. In other words, someone is going to leave.
These are all talented players, but I don’t think any of them are going to be content with being second choice – especially the players that are the other side of 30. So, who is going to move on? Well, Deco has just signed so that rules him out and Makelele fulfils his own unique role in midfield, so it would be in everyone’s interests if he was kept on. That leaves Lampard and Ballack. If anyone is going to leave, it will be one of these two. I’d personally like to keep both, but like I have said, neither Lampard or Ballack’s ego is small enough to be happy with a place on the bench at this stage of their careers.
Both players have differing circumstances with regards to their future, but one thing they have in common is that it is by no means certain they will still be at Chelsea in a year’s time.
Ballack has a year to run on his current contract and has insisted there is no rush to sign a new one. At the end of his current deal, he will be 32-years-old. He will also still be demanding extremely high wages – should Chelsea extend his current deal? Well, I think it all depends on how he performs next season. If he continues where he left off at the end of the 2007/2008 campaign, then yes – sign him up. However, if he is plagued with injury and gets out his cigar in the centre of midfield again – then I’m not convinced he will deserve the lucrative new contract.
My gut feeling though is that Ballack will be on top form this season. He will have to put the disappointment of losing the Champions League and Euro 2008 finals behind him and start again in August. These final defeats will make him more determined to win trophies with Chelsea and I expect him to be scoring vital goals for Scolari over the next couple of years. I’d like to see the football odds on Ballack scoring 15+ goals next season – he is Scolari’s type of player in my view.
So that leaves Lampard. As we all know, there is much doubt over his future. He also only has one year left on his current deal and Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan are supposedly upping their pursuit of the England midfielder despite Scolari saying that he will be staying at Stamford Bridge. Like everyone, I am fed up of Lampard contract talks. He wants a five year deal, Chelsea are offering him four. Considering this contract is set to include a £150,000 a week salary – is the disagreement over an extra year really worth the risk of losing Lampard?
One thing I would say, is that if Lampard wants to stay at Chelsea – he will. I’m convinced that Scolari would like to keep him, but only as long as the player is fully committed to the cause. If Lampard continues to fail to commit his future to Chelsea, then it might be in the best interests of everyone that he moves on. He could link up with Mourihno again, he could avoid the risk of losing his place in the Chelsea team to Ballack and Deco and he could accept the new challenge of playing in Italy.
In an ideal world, both Lampard and Ballack will stay. If I was to bet on the Premier League, the prospect of Lampard, Ballack, Deco, Essien and Makelele fighting for three places would persuade me to back Chelsea to win the league.
I just wanted to gather opinion on the two midfielders that have one year left on their current contract. If you could only renew one of Ballack or Lampard’s contracts, who would you go for? Who is more valuable to Chelsea? Who would suit a move away from the Bridge?
One thing is for sure – Scolari will adopt whatever tactics needed to win games of football and if this means leaving out 150,000 a week Lampard or Ballack – he will do just that.
Thoughts?
Thomas Rooney – Freelance Sports Journalist
Nice debut article Thomas, look forward to many more.
Filed under: Current Players, Rants
Ballack - no debate needed, if Lampard was really CFC he would have signed by now.
Yea, have to say I agree Mark. Why is he taking so long to decide?
Because Lampard’s loyalty comes at a price Thomas - a very expensive one apparently!
Ballack; it appears Lamps is being told (possibly by his agent) that he is worth a heck of alot more than reality is saying so. This holdout and bickering is rediculous over one frickin year.
Well there´s no question that Ballack is the definete nr.1 choice!He´s one of the best midfielders if not “The best midfielder” in the world!I mean his influence,passing and goal scoring are simply incomparable,just look at last season in Chelsea,it was Ballack who almost single handedly kept Chelsea in title hunt for both major trophies not to mention the great impact he had with Germany in Euro and plus he´s a real team player!Ballack is the best and Lampard is just some selfish,glory hunting twat!It would be a major mistake keeping him at Chelsea!
chelseadenise
what do u think of this for ur page
its hilarious, a video of hitler learning that lampard might be leaving
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP8uWWpkSFY
On current form its hard to pick one over the other, If my life depended on it I’d pick Lampard.
Yes I’d love to give him a good slap atm, but his contribution to Chelsea over the last 4-5 seasons has been consistent. With the attacking style Scolari is likely to play I think it would suit Lampard more than Ballack.
But……..Wether its his agent or not, Lampards repeatedly put forward his desire to stay on at Chelsea. He wants one thing the club wants another. If this is the sticking point then if Lampards as good as his word, he’ll take the offer on the table to show his commitment to the club.
Put up or shut up.
lampard is a very good football player.no doubt whatsoever.
however.michael ballack is like a conductor of an orchestra.he ooozes class.he is also a very charismatic man.he is class
I love Ballack and think he is an excellent midfielder and can do the job. there are too many midfielders at t his time for him to shine. He and Lampard are one too many in the midfield. . I would like to see Lampard go. Michael can lead the team and set the pace if given the chance to play freely.
Ballack, for sure… I really think is the master of all operations on the field. Lampard is also a good player, but in my opinion he cannot be compared to Ballack. So, definitely, I hope Ballack stays.