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10/6/2008 8:32 PM
Gerrard & Lampard Set For England Starts - Report
According to The Sun, England manager Fabio Capello is preparing to name both Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in his starting XI this weekend...
The debate has raged on for years as to whether Gerrard and Lampard are capable of playing effectively alongside one another. Many believe the Liverpool skipper and the Chelsea talisman are far too similar to be paired together, while others believe players of such high quality should be able to adapt to whatever role they are given.
The majority of the general public have preferred Gerrard almost ever since the problem first arose. Ever the golden boy of English football, the Huyton-born midfielder had been pegged as the Three Lions' saviour since breaking into the first team at Anfield as a teenager.
However, opinion seems to have shifted over the past few months. Lampard, who was booed relentlessly by his own countrymen all through the EURO 2008 campaign, has enjoyed something of a revival on the international stage. He flourished in Gerrard's absence against Croatia last month, producing a fine display in England's 4-1 victory in Zagreb.
Stevie G is fit again, however, and it understood that Capello will select both he and Lampard to line up against Kazakhstan in World Cup qualifying on Saturday. But as both are regarded as attacking midfielders (indeed, some believe Gerrard's best position is second striker), there is likely to be at least one other man in the middle.
Owen Hargreaves' ongoing battle with injury means Gareth Barry is likely to play the anchoring role. The Aston Villa captain has shown in the past that he is capable of forging effective partnerships with Gerrard and Lampard, although it remains to be seen how he will cope if asked to mind both at once.
Capello, like just about every manager at club or international level before him, has had no hesitation shunting Gerrard around the pitch, having used him on either flank and behind the strikers. The 28-year-old has expressed his dissatisfaction with this situation in the past, and some believe it has affected his consistency.
But recent signs would suggest that Gerrard is finally coming to terms with his role as the team chameleon and, with Joe Cole pulling out of the squad through injury, it is quite possible he may start on the left against the Kazakhs. That would leave Lampard and Barry in the centre to replicate their impressive exploits against Croatia.
Capello has scheduled a practice match for Thursday, during which he will experiment with various Gerrard-Lampard combinations before settling on his starting XI for Saturday's clash at Wembley.
Leslie May
Source: goal.com
Gerrard & Lampard Set For England Starts - Report
According to The Sun, England manager Fabio Capello is preparing to name both Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in his starting XI this weekend...
The debate has raged on for years as to whether Gerrard and Lampard are capable of playing effectively alongside one another. Many believe the Liverpool skipper and the Chelsea talisman are far too similar to be paired together, while others believe players of such high quality should be able to adapt to whatever role they are given.
The majority of the general public have preferred Gerrard almost ever since the problem first arose. Ever the golden boy of English football, the Huyton-born midfielder had been pegged as the Three Lions' saviour since breaking into the first team at Anfield as a teenager.
However, opinion seems to have shifted over the past few months. Lampard, who was booed relentlessly by his own countrymen all through the EURO 2008 campaign, has enjoyed something of a revival on the international stage. He flourished in Gerrard's absence against Croatia last month, producing a fine display in England's 4-1 victory in Zagreb.
Stevie G is fit again, however, and it understood that Capello will select both he and Lampard to line up against Kazakhstan in World Cup qualifying on Saturday. But as both are regarded as attacking midfielders (indeed, some believe Gerrard's best position is second striker), there is likely to be at least one other man in the middle.
Owen Hargreaves' ongoing battle with injury means Gareth Barry is likely to play the anchoring role. The Aston Villa captain has shown in the past that he is capable of forging effective partnerships with Gerrard and Lampard, although it remains to be seen how he will cope if asked to mind both at once.
Capello, like just about every manager at club or international level before him, has had no hesitation shunting Gerrard around the pitch, having used him on either flank and behind the strikers. The 28-year-old has expressed his dissatisfaction with this situation in the past, and some believe it has affected his consistency.
But recent signs would suggest that Gerrard is finally coming to terms with his role as the team chameleon and, with Joe Cole pulling out of the squad through injury, it is quite possible he may start on the left against the Kazakhs. That would leave Lampard and Barry in the centre to replicate their impressive exploits against Croatia.
Capello has scheduled a practice match for Thursday, during which he will experiment with various Gerrard-Lampard combinations before settling on his starting XI for Saturday's clash at Wembley.
Leslie May
Source: goal.com
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