Why Ballack Should Boss Lampard

No one doubts Frank’s pedigree, but for once he should be chum.

I’m a fan of Gordon Ramsay. He does good nasty TV. His American version of ‘Kitchen Nightmares’ is corny and over-edited but it’s still got the same enjoyable tropes as before: dizzying camera shots, lots of excited gestures and plenty of two footed tackles on prima donnas – you can tell he’s still sore about not becoming a footballer! But the thing the yanks love is that vicious gusto and his unflinching confidence in authority. Yes, if Gordon Ramsay has taught us anything about football – which he hasn’t – it’s that there’s a big difference between being a cook and a chef. In Lampard and Ballack, Chelsea have one of each. But which is which?

An epidemic of injuries and a stag party’s worth of African Cup go-ers have left the squad thread bare. Lampard is crocked. Terry is still languishing on the sidelines. So, who takes on the heavy burden of captaining Chelsea’s asthmatic chase of Arsenal and United? Perhaps the long serving centre back Carvalho with 140 appearances? Or will the inspirational Joe Cole, with an impressive 190 caps amassed, take the armband? No and No. It’s that German bloke with the floppy hair. His performances last year oozed grace but too, a yawning nonchalance. His choice – despite his protest otherwise – to miss the first third of the season to go under the knife hardly endeared him the Chelsea faithful. But now something’s changed…

He is now the general of a Chelsea side who have climbed back into competition with Man Utd and Arsenal: teams whose form is simply relentless. He is tipped as the future vice or even full time Chelsea captain. How, you may wonder? Quite plainly – he is an excellent leader. Some may argue it’s just a coincidence; he’s hit a rich vein of form. That, the much needed ankle surgery has now freed him from restraint, like a deathly ball and chain. But more likely, that the absence of Lampard has given him undisputed control to steer the midfield. When Ballack is paired alongside Lampard he plays with an uncertainty and sheepishness alike a man unsure whether to walk his dog or chase it. He performs with caution and respect. And who could blame him? I mean, after all, Lampard was runner-up player of the year to Ronaldinho. But whilst he is the darling of Chelsea, he’s miles short of being the commander the team desperately need to compete with the best.

Lampard has never been a great leader.

Despite championing Chelsea to trophies and a Premier League title he is known for going missing in big matches and is a whisper to John Terry’s roaring command when captain. What Chelsea need is a midfield boss. A leader to drive the team from the heart of play. But first they must first have structure, designation, and an order most militaristic. Ballack is clearly is a regal fellow. A gentleman. Beside Lampard, he coyly refuses to dominate. Maybe he’s too keen to be liked? Too careful not be seen as Lampard deposer? Regardless, it smacks of indecision from the managerial side of both and country when handling Lampard. This constant refusal to install a solid structure on both fronts – a hierarchy – shackles them from competing for honours.

Steven Gerrard: when married with Lampard for England, is ghost of his Liverpool self because he worries more about upsetting the balance in respect than he does resetting the balance in control. For Liverpool, he is the governor and Alonso his subordinate – never the other way round. Call it a dictatorship, call it despotism but someone needs to rule. Someone needs to boss Frank Lampard and no – I’m not talking about his wife.

Sven, McClaren and even Jose Mourinho have failed to address the issue of control. They offered parity where they should have installed hierarchy. Where they installed respect they should have issued rank. The sleepy Avram Grant, though steadily guiding Chelsea, is still seen as caretaker by most Chelsea fans, a truth he must know with disdain. He seems to be biding his time for the right moment in which to impress himself on the fans. Could this be his chance? Avram has even admitted he is currently building the team around Ballack. Is it temporary? A bodge job for the time being? Or a sign for future?

Pushing Lampard down the food chain could be a tactical master stroke. With this dynamic the midfield would be a unique force to challenge Europe, to bring equilibrium to the midfield and produce a harmonious attacking midfield, fearless of all opposition. During Lampard’s absence, Ballack’s confidence will have grown and grown; when they were reunited, Chelsea’s attacking threat was minimal in a dire game against Liverpool. Will Avram address the issue that his predecessor dodged? The paradigm would reap rewards for England too, where Lampard would be led again, but by Gerrard. It all seems so logical. The perfect recipe. Ramsay would be proud! The question is; would Lampard really settle with playing second fiddle, being just the garnish to a Michelin star team when he’s so used to be the main course?

Should Lampard be dropped to allow Ballack to thrive?
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