Lampard Dinged: Blessing in Disguise?

June 30th, 2006 | By: Shawn | 6 Comments »

Frank Lampard’s form in this Cup has been pretty appalling, and I say that as a Chelsea supporter.

21 shots (most in the tournament), 9 on goal (second most), no real scares for any opposing keeper, and, of course, no balls in the net.

Now he appears to have suffered an ankle injury within 48 hours of the opening whistle against Portugal. It doesn’t appear to be very serious. But it may affect his fitness on Saturday.

I’m wondering if this doesn’t give Sven a little wiggle room: Lamps on the bench at the start, Aaran Lennon in the first 11, then Lamps on in the 60th minute or so for whomever seems to be draggy, even the holding mid (Carrick/Hargreaves/Carragher/whomever).

This may be the classic case of addition by subtraction.

Tags: England, Frank Lampard

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Comments

By LLC | June 30th, 2006 at 5:39 am

Yes I totally agree with this Aaron Lennon definately adds fizz to the English team.. if he plays we will see a corker!

Posted from Australia

By Frank Lampard | June 30th, 2006 at 6:44 am

Ankle injury? Lol, yeh thats what I told them. Ive just got off the plane and landed in Australia. Theres no way im being humiliated in front of millions of people again.

Posted from Australia

By Binarybloke | June 30th, 2006 at 8:49 am

Unless Lamps is really struggling I’d have him on the pitch from the start. Lennon should get another chance to show what he’s made of, but I think you’ve got to start with your strongest team. Obviously Frank has missed afew opportunities, but he’s getting in the right areas to score and I’m confident he’ll notch against Portugal.

I’d also like to see “the lanky one” on at some point, just for my own amusement.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Nash | June 30th, 2006 at 11:35 am

Despite criticisms Frank Lampard remains a world class player. He’s the type of player who can score anytime and change the course of matches. He did it in EURO 2004 and for Chelsea several times. He’ll find his marks as ENGLAND progresses in the tournament..Lennon is good but not of Lamps class..

By Frank Lampard | June 30th, 2006 at 12:13 pm

I LIKE TO MISS MISS MISS MISS MISS

Posted from Australia

By Paul | June 30th, 2006 at 3:54 pm

I think Lampard has just been too eager to get a goal and prove himself in these last couple of games – (hence his 2 million attempts on goal this World Cup). He needs to calm down and just do his thing.

One of his catapult launches will hit the back of the net sooner or later… but Frank if it could come on Saturday afternoon that’d be smashing!