In Continent

To manage “on the continent” is to be beset by uncertainty, one eye ever to windward, awaiting the moment when the mute with the bowstring calls time on your career. So much are we told by the columnists. We icy Albion islanders are not of this breed. We have learned the true lesson of our race, as a wise man once said: to put away all emotion and entrap the alien at the proper time. And then, presumably, give him a kicking for looking a bit different. 

Not that you’ll find many Englishmen perched atop the towers of power at Stamford Bridge. American lawyers and Russian businessmen are more our colour. So is it any wonder that the un-English way of doing things seems to have insinuated its way into the corridors of our beloved club?

At the other members of the Big Three, no such uncertainty exists. Sir Ferg has held court for so long – and threatened retirement so many times, the little tease – that only the drinks cabinet dares to stand up to him. Only Arsene’s telescope could testify to what he Knows, but the fans cling to his strategic vision because without it 80% of the first-team squad would be off before you could say “Marseille turn”. But Avram Grant, who seems to be in his position entirely on merit (the merit of mingling well with the mighty), is never more than 90 minutes away from a P45. 

Neither, for that matter, are his players. If you believe the hype - and don’t say that Public Enemy didn’t warn you – the mighty Blues are in line for a major overhaul this summer. Out with Grant, of course, although his twin cup humblings this season will buy him a shunt back to the director of football position. But it’s the squad that will feel the bite of Roman’s knout as they’re variously shipped off, bundled out, edged into retirement or, in one specific case, allowed to go home after presenting a note from their dad. That the dad in question is Silvio Berlusconi and the player our record signing makes no odds. The humbling by Barnsley (who I’m backing all the way to final this year) has sullied many a reputation, coming as it did right on top of a defeat by Spurs in the Carling Cup final. United’s defeat in the Cup to inferior opposition raised fewer eyebrows – Southend United, anyone? -  but Chelsea’s defeat at the hands of Barnsley has, we’re told, “incensed” the owner.

If you believe the hearsay and conjecture, the club will dispense with the services of Juliano Belletti, Carlo Cudicini, Tal Ben Haim, Claudio Pizarro, Steve Sidwell, Florent Malouda and Andriy Shevchenko. In addition, there are rumours that the club is more or less resigned to having to sell Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard, with the latter’s refusal to sign a new contract meaning that he may well be able to leave for a relatively small sum of money. Relatively small, in this case, being some several million pounds but hey, this is the Premiership.

Let’s assume for a moment that the rumours are substantially true (if we don’t, this becomes a rather short article). Hypothetically speaking, I have no problem with losing the services of any of those in the first grouping, Cudicini and Belletti aside. But, again hypothetically speaking, I have something of a problem with losing all seven of them in a single summer. Does no one understand the meaning of the term “squad player” any more? On losing a top class midfielder in the mould of Essien to, say, an international tournament, is it reasonable to expect a player of equal quality to step eagerly into his shoes? Of course not, because a player of Essien’s quality is unlikely to sit on the bench awaiting an injury or national call-up before he plays. Sadly, my argument falls down when we consider that Essien’s replacement this year was the hapless Steve Sidwell, who provided Chelsea with plenty of perspiration but not a whole lot of scintillation.

Whether true or not, Chelsea’s owner is once again being painted as a sort of casual dictator: the sort of chap who casually sends players to the bargain bin whilst enjoying a late tea of crumpets and Devonshire butter. Which begs the question: if he’s such a savage, what’s he going to do to the fellow leaking all this private information when he finally catches up with him? Needles under the fingernails? Piano wire round the unmentionables? The mind boggles.

Moving on, there is certainly a feeling amongst some Chelsea fans – a minority, as far as I can tell – that the club should take the financial opportunity that a Drogba sale represents, and build anew. By the same token, should there be a chance to make some cash off of a quick sale of Frank Lampard to, say, Juventus, we should go for it. I don’t necessarily agree with the latter – I think Frank has a lot still to give, and the contractual problems that have followed him around for the last year would mean a much lower return should the club find a buyer – but I can certainly see the logic behind Drogba’s departure. This is due, in large part, to the player’s intermittent comments about the club and his own desire to leave. The club is in a position to demand a hefty fee for a player of such intimidating presence and prolific goalscoring output. Despite his age, he shows no sign of losing the athleticism which is the bedrock of his game, and his technique – while not always consistent – remains effective. Anelka is more than able to lead the line, and the Drogba fee would offer a chance to invest in our own Torres: David Villa springs to mind.

I was going to finish it here, but last night’s biopsy on Derby County adds yet more significance to the continued influence that Frank Lampard has at Stamford Bridge. I don’t doubt that the number 8 has considered leaving England – clubs like Juventus and Barca, his rumoured suitors, are legendary names that attract interest from great players – and I wonder if the more frequent suggestions about his future this and last year have been born, in part, by the opprobrium that he attracts from sections of the England support and some opposition fans in the League. To which Chelsea supporters can and should respond with gusto. There is no more effective goalscoring midfielder in Europe. We are privileged to have him. When I spoke to him on behalf of CFCnet around 3 years ago, I was told that he wanted to end his career in West London. I hope he still feels the same way.

Comments

[Rob]

Matt, no one has edited your comments, although I did consider correcting some of your spelling. Kapmf?

And the equaliser against Barcelona was a chipped shot from the byline over the keeper.

It is, of course, terribly impressive to clinch the League at old Trafford, but unfortunately I don't think even Juventus can have a fixture rearranged in order to win the league at a ground more to their liking. Still, good point well made. If you're a chimp.

[Matt Nicolson]

Oh dear, bibble bibble to the author. Good to see Chelsea supporters reading lists include Socrates these days, it used to consist of simply the Beano and Mein Kapmf.

I seem to remember our 11 million pound "striker" Sylvain Wiltord scoring a league clincher at Old Trafford (slightly more illustrious than the Reebok) and Christopher Wreh banging in the winner in an FA Cup semi against Wolves. Does not mean they were great players, just means that at times they were effective, which about sums up Lumpard.

He cant pass, he panics when the ball is rolled out to him from defence/goalkeeper, he cant play with his back to goal, he lacks pace and his activities and temperament is abysmal (in reference to his self perceived right to play for England, he is not alone in this I accept...) But I do applaud his one act of genius, when for 65 minutes against Croatia while all others were caked in mud, sweat and sapped by a pulsating game of football, Lampard's kit was nice and bright white, not a lick of perspiration on him and his hair... just immaculate. The 3 lions roared on his shirt that day. And what a penalty!...

Oh and Julius Blumfield, Spurs and Newcastle don't count, you lost to Monaco and the equaliser in Barcelona was a contentious penalty at best. If my original comments has not been edited to suit unscrupulous and dim witted author's P.O.V you would have seen that I respect his goal tally and that some of his goals are fantastic strikes. You just cant disguise the fact that most of these goals are against the dregs in the Premier League.

[Colin Blues]

Although I am by no means a Lampard fan, I feel it is very unfair to say that those 2 goals a season mean nothing.

If he helps Chelsea win most of their games against the other 16 teams then he is doing better than Gerrard!!

Maybe not the best footballer in his position in the last 20 years but a very very effective premiership player!!

How may sides would like a 20 goal striker never mind midfielder

[Steven]

If you Chelsea fans love him so much, that's great. Good on you, I'm not one to argue for the sake of it. Just keep him FAR FAR away from the England team...!

[Jack Heywood]

anyone who says lampard doesn;t score in the big games is an idiot. especially if your a UNITED fan!!!

has cristiano ronaldo ever scored against:

barcelona, arsenal, chelsea, liverpool?????????

[Rob]

As the writer of this column, I'd just like to add a little note to all the comments that have rebutted Matt Nicholson's observation.

Matt, you are far worse than a footballing cretin. You are an opinionated ignoramus. I recommend Socrates: the only true wisdom is in knowing that you know nothing. And you, sir, know ****-all.

[George]

I had a discussion with some of my friends in the early hours of Saturday night/Sunday morning when I made a statement that rather surprised even me: 'Frank Lampard is the best player Chelsea have ever had.'

My friends gave me odd looks but did at least pay me the compliment of sitting there and thinking about it for a few minutes.

The immediate riposte was: 'Zola?'. More talented? Without a shadow of a doubt. More popular? Infinitely. Better to watch? Undeniably. But better? Not for me.

This season will be the fifth season in a row where Frank scores twenty goals in a season from midfield. Steven Gerrard has scored twenty in one season once in his career, and that when he put a hatful past some remote fishing village in Norway.

Frank scored crucial, vital goals. He turned Chelsea from being a team with a lot of money to a team that won back to back titles, something with Mr Wenger for all his sycophants has never achieved. Remember that in the beginning Chelsea had a lot of money but were failing to attract the kind of top level talent that they needed.

People tend to say that Frank goes missing in the big games and that he is therefore an inferior player. Even if I were prepared to stipulate this (which I am not), the phenomenal levels of consistency Frank shows are more than enough. Liverpool would kill for somebody capable of these levels, because they might then have even a remote chance of winning the league.

Everything Chelsea do goes through Frank. If you try and watch them when he is not there they all look lost. Even when he isn't scoring or making goals he is the glue that holds the team together.

Given the poor acclimatisation of Ballack in England, Chelsea should be very wary of thinking that Frank could be replaced. Please, please, please sort his contract out or you won't know what you've lost till it's gone.

[Fernnado]

Yeah Matt, Lampard never scores big goals except to clinch the title against Bolton a few years back. And Gerrard has scored the league clinching goal how many times?? Give me a break.

Lampard has done more with less talent. Just count his medals.

[Julius Blumfeld]

"Great stuff, shame he disappears in the big games"

Rubbish. Some Lampard goals in recent years:

Arsenal in both legs of CL QF
Monaco in home leg of CL SF
Liverpool at Anfield
Barcelona (the great 4-2)
Bayern in the QF (fantastic goal)
Spurs at White Hart Lane (both goals)
Man U (league cup win)
Newcastle (away)
Barcelona equaliser at Camp Nou
Spurs again (two goals in FA cup)
Liverpool (PL)
Liverpool again (League cup)

Where are you going to find a box-to-box midfield, rarely injured, who scores up to 20 goals a season? And at what price?

IMHO Lampard was (and is) probably Chelsea's best ever player (beating even Zola). We would be insane not to give him a new contract.

Julius

[Tom]

>>Matt Nicolson

Well Said! ;)

[J D Smith]

I feel I must reply to Matt Nicholson's
comments about Frank Lampard.
He says that Lampard goes out of sight in big games. From that, I think he must mean Barcelona are not a big club. In two season he scored great goals from which Chelsea beat or drew with them.
In games against very strong German teams he scored vital goals. Once again I feel Matt must be a Liverpool or either of the other red shirted teams. Just by the way he talks about ill gotten wealth.
Just try in future to think more clearly before you make such vitriolic statements. Liverpool's history tells you that their a whole heap of their money in the past comes from gambling i.e.
football pools. It's sad to see someone who hates another club purely because over the last few years Chelsea has a benefactor who
saved Chelsea from going into receivership.

[Charles D]

In response to the last few posts about Lampard not being a big game player, goals against Barca last season, and two seasons ago,goals against Bayern Munich two seasons ago, those two clutch goals away to Bolton that WON US THE LEAGUE in 2005!!!! Not to mention the incredible consistancy he shows over a season. To say Chelsea would have won just as many trophies if Lampard was gone is one of the silliest things i have ever heard. He was our top goalscorer (from centre midfield i remind you) in 2005 and he literally scored the goals that won us the trophy.

Also, Ballack has been having a great season and he deserves to be starting ahead of Essien. He has been an absolute rock. So don't go bashing him. But i agree i massive overhaul should occur this summer. To many players picking up pay checks than ones who are really hungry to win. Form the squad around Chech, Terry, Carvalho, Ballack, Lampard (yes, it is vital Chelsea keep him), Essien, Joe Cole, and if possible (yet unlikely) Drogba. In my eyes, anyone else should be worried for thier jobs.

[Rokola]

How can you argue with a guy who says that Frank Lampard's goals did not matter? Maybe we've all got it wrong. I thought that the object of the game was to score goals.
With idiotic correspondents like Matt Nicholson, your column is greatly devalued.

[madgooner]

LOL!

poor things...

what did the Roman ever do for you..

[Andy]

I think Lampards a great player and I'd imagine most of the premiership managers would have him in there team in a shot. He has blatantly been scape goated for the decline of the English team. Consistently getting over 20 goals a season is a massive reason why Chelsea won all those titles....simple as and all the rest is complete rubbish.

[Sharpe]

Didn't Lampard score against Barca a few seasons ago? Its funny in that both the article and comments thereafter that lampard has a "phenomenal" goalscoring record for a midfielder, it's also accepted he is a fantastic athlete with a passion for the game, yet both would be keen to get rid of him?

What exactly has Ballack done to warrant a place ahead of the "phenomenal" Lampard. You chelsea fans....

[Bryn GARN]

Lampard is a typical flat track bully.
Nothing else needs to be said.

[Mo]

mr matt...i dont just take my hat off, im chucking it out the fucking window...

[Matt Nicolson]

Wow, Lampard scores 4 against Derby County. Great stuff, shame he disappears in the big games. And for Chelsea and the expectation buying all those trophies brings, the big games are when it counts. Ill wager that in the home matches against Arsenal and United, two key games in the title race, Lampard goes missing as he has done in pretty much every defining game for his club. Ill place a similar bet that should Chelsea draw a top club in Europe Lampard will vanish as he did against Liverpool (twice) and Barcelona in recent seasons. It might sound hyper critical, but against the best in Europe and England he proves himself unable to live up to the ridiculous standards expected of an average international player.

Simply put, Fabregas or Lampard? Scholes or Lampard? (unless your Sven and retire the best centre mid this countries had in 15 years) Gerrard or Lampard? Xavi or Lampard? Good god, Ballack or Lampard!!! If you would chose Lampard over any of those other players for the BIG moments, you are either a blinkered blue or slightly peculiar in the head. I do not deny his goal scoring record is nothing short of phenomenal in recent seasons, but who were they scored against, when did any of those goals really matter and more to the point, would Chelsea have won any less trophies without him? To the later point I would answer my own question with a resounding no. In fact, a properly deployed Michael Ballack probably would have played those big games far more effectively than Lampard and Ambramovic would have the European Cup his ill spent wealth craves.