Is Lampard Right About Deco?
It’s fair to say a few of us have had the odd moan about Deco this season and certainly from what I’ve seen, after a blistering first month to his Chelsea career, he hasn’t looked anywhere near as good since. I mean, he pulled out of the side before the United game and he just hasn’t looked up for it since.
Give him an away game, with plenty of time and space on the ball and he looks great but play him at Stamford Bridge where our players are constantly closed down, given no time for fancy football and occasionally roughed up a bit, and he just doesn’t seem to fancy it.
Frank Lampard however, suggests we should be a little more patient – even going as far as comparing Deco to former Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola. Now, I don’t know whether I’m being cynical here or whether it’s just that no one’s ever come close to Zola for me at Chelsea, but I’m finding it a little hard to take Lampard’s comparison seriously.
Of Deco Lampard says “He’s a top player – you only have to look at what he’s done in his career and what he did in his first four games here. Like all of us in the last few games, we haven’t played at our top level. But people have to stick with Deco because he can make something special. He has that Zola thing about him where he can find a pass. At the moment they are not all coming off but when they do he could be the key that helps unlock the door in home games.”
Lampard goes on to say that it’s a bit unfair to single Deco out when no-one’s played particularly well lately (and I have to agree with him there), suggesting “Yes, he’s not going through his best time at the minute, same as a lot of us, but he’ll come good. He’s come from La Liga and it’s different here, it’s quicker and more physical and that’s something he has to take on board. It’s not easy.”
I’m not sure whether to hold my breath or not though. What about you lot?
Filed under: Current Players, Rants
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Lampard is right. Deco is not in top form, sure, but there isn´t a better player in that position in Stamford Bridge right now.
diego – nonsense sorry – Joe Cole can do everything Deco can and more.
The only game we’ve won in the last 4 weeks Deco didn’t play. Doesn’t that tell you something.
Its also true ( though scolari, who doesn’t seem to know anything about english football wouldn’t know it) is that players from europe often take a season to produce, esp. midfielders and strikers. I suspect because of the greater number of games, no winter break and the ferocity of the competition.
By nailiing his colours to the Deco mast before knowing anything about english football, Scolari has made a bad mistake whichy is hurting Chelsea. Because now he can’t ask Roman for money and drop his worst performing player ( the player who Scolari said would turn Chelsea into a fantastic fantasy football team) because if he does, how can he ask Roman for more cash for new players.
So Deco keeps playing.
Tthe entire thing is a mess. Frank being a great team player is trying to take the fans heat off Deco and support him, but i’m sure in his heart Frank’s as pissed off as everybody else about it. Especially when you consider that he and Joe Cole are playing some great little combo’s together – and that Joe and Drogba are always on a great wavelength
One thing that has to be noticed here is that when chelsea had injury problems going on there were subs who were winning the games 4-0 and 5-0. Once the players started coming back from injuries chelsea’s form started to deteriorate. This just goes to show that players coming back from injuries have not found their form yet. In such a case it should be the responsibility of the manager to keep the team that are winning regularly and play them regularly. And I dont think that deco has proved himself enough to be selected over Ballack. I still think Ballack is better than deco. Use the experience and youth right. ANd Scolari should not be afraid to make changes. If the youngsters dont get many chances I don’t think they will stay here much longer.