That's not entirely accurate. Ballack's not as fast, and not quite as good in possession, imho. He's better with his head, and has a slightly better offensive game. The problem at Bayern isn't that he's not asked to do enough, but rather that he was asked to do too much. They played him as a holding midfielder in a 4-3-3. He never had a chance to shine or really go forward in that setup. This year he's been better, because Frings is there to help out in midfield. I don't think he's better than Gerrard, however; I think the two are of similar caliber. I'd love to have either Gerrard or Ballack at Chelsea, but landing Ballack (who's also older) is less likely.
Point taken on speed, but I dont think that's an issue here. Zidane was never lightening quick and yet he was the undisputed best player in the world for years. Beckham isnt exactly quick either, yet so many people seem to think he's the best player in the world. German players, even strikers, have never been that quick. Yet they easily hold their own against quicker players. On possession though I disagree. Ballack is extremely smart with the ball, and again wasnt able to create as much as he could because of the mediocrity he was surrounded with until moving to Bayern. It is definitely debatable though. I think on the Bayern point we're saying almost the same thing in a different way. He never did have a chance to shine, and I think part of the reason was because he was played outside his best position because Bayern bought him after a string of amazing seasons with Bayer. He was asked to both create, stop, and score, and that's a lot for any player. True he's older than Gerrard, and for your sake Stevie G is a better long-term fit than Michael. I was just using a hypothetical. I have no doubts, however, that Ballack would tear up the EPL if given the chance. Maybe Arsenal could use him in central midfield, where he's almost older than the two ones facing you guys this weekend
i agree with a lot of your 2 posts , i definitely think theres a hint of anti-germanism on here, hell i hate them for knocking the USMNT out of 2002(guess who scored that one?!). Id rate ballack as the best all around ahead of both england boys like you do, and would love him to be one of our 3 CMs any day of the week. The only thing you said i disagree with was that lampard is not responsible for how chelsea is good. True its a team effort, but above anyother player, when he is not playing our side, spefically our midfield looks like utter crap. he is definitely the drive and the inspiration of this team.
on a side not, Lampard was named OPTA player of the month for october and second in november. Helped by his league leading assist total. and yes gerrard was hurt, but shouldnt durability be a factor in this comparison?
I'll be the first to admit I don't see either as much as I'd like, but I think of it this way: as an Arsenal fan, who would I rather have on my team? I go with Gerrard. Lampard's right there, but Gerrard's a leader.
Scholes Keano whoever else - a distant third And shut up about Ballack, we're talking EPL if i had to choose between Viera Gerard or Lampard id take Viera. He's worth two men in midfield.
Since he was injured at OT and missed a few games for LFC, the title goes to Frank Lampard of Chelsea so far this season.
Gerrard was incredible in that yawner of a game against Southhampton. However, I think he is entirely too predictable. Every time he gets the ball facing forward he tries a one touch through ball or stops and smacks it cross field. Great for the English league were the pace is so fast but not subtle enough for internationals. I think Lampard has a bit softer touch and relies less on athleticism. He makes more deft passes than Lampard. Hey, wait a minute, that's a perfect combination of midfielders to play together like they do for England. Actually, honestly, I believe England needs another player like Gaza to win a big tournament. Lampard could get better as he is quite young but there doesn't appear to be any wizard on the horizon. At least Lampard hits the ocassional ball that is unexpected.
Lampard ffs, average midfielder with a fat ass, how many ********ing top European players put facking fat ass Lampard in their best 11? Id take half a Viera over Lampard any day beotch!
I reckon Lampard, and so does Mourinho read............ http://www.premierleague.com/fapl.r....fapl.website.news.NewsItem&categoryCode=News
When will people realise that gerrard is overated. they are many midfeilders, not only in the epl but all over the world in england-lauren, scholes, ronaldo in italy- veron, rui costa, seedorf, kaka, nedved in spain-xavi, ronaldihno,riquelme, valeron,aimar, even guti so please people, stop inflating the youngster's head
Were you drunk when you chose your screen name? Given the substance of your subsequent work here, that's the only rational explanation. Lauren is a fullback. Ronaldo is a one-trick showpony and a winger to boot. Veron of 1999 and exclusively for Lazio may rate ahead of Gerrard 2004 but that's most absolutely it. Riquelme? Don't make me laugh. He's not worth the steam off Gerrard's piss. Aimar ... meh. They'll be teammates soon, so let's defer judgement, shall we. Guti. ROFL!
Pretty funny that Ronaldo is referred to as a one-trick showpony! I mean he has awesome speed, awesome ball skills, and an awesome shot(which hasn't been going in for ManU at the moment). As far as Gerrard being the best midfielder, he's up there with Lampard and Vieira, in terms of the best mids in the EPL.
Ah this topic is still around. In my opinion as far central midfielders go its: 1)Gerrard 2)Scholes . . . 10)Fat Frank I love how all those people writing Scholes off have had to eat their words recently. Have to admit though if anyone can hit a rocket into a top corner better than him it's probably Gerrard.
After yesterday's snide reducer on Xabi, my opinion of Fat Frank has plummeted. If he keeps doing stuff like that, something nasty will happen to the boy one day.
Homer Simpson: "Ahahaha ... it's funny! Because it's true ...." Yeah ... and how much end product does he have? Oh yeah - fuck all. Congratulations, you own £12.6m worth of fuck all. "But ooooh, did you see that stepover he did? Gawd, that was like the play of the day or something, totally awesome ball skills!!" (PS - Shouldn't that be skillz? Or even, skillzzzzzz? Fits the wank factor profile, that's for sure). I bet you've repeatedly made a quite terrible mess of yourself watching the skinny little lightweight twinkle about pointlessly in some inconsequential corner of the football field. It's no wonder whole sections of the Skip are crustier than a Dead Sea salt bog these days.
Really? Are we talking all around midfielder? What traits are folks loooking at when they're determining best? It's too bad some just hop on and toss in a name. Maybe they were thinking "hey, I can find a holding mid a lot easier than I can find another Scholes". Could be. But I suppose they'll be damned if they're bothered to explain it all. I agree; if it's overall play Scholes isn't the best. He's damn good at some things though. And he just may be the best red-headed midfielder in the prem. Although Pembridge is giving him competition this year. **smirk**
Classic CRon complaint. Instead of rippin' off the loud-moathed pundits, tell me how often CRon did this in the match against Spurs? That is, if you actually watch him play often enough to know his game.