Gerrard or Lampard?

It is quite evident that Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are not capable of playing effectively in the centre of midfield together. Both are world class midfielders but one must be dropped in order for England to be effective in games against strong opposition.

At Liverpool, Gerrard plays as an attacking midfielder with Xabi Alonso playing much deeper. Likewise at Chelsea, Lampard plays just behind the strikers (or striker) with Makelele offering protection to the central defenders. The two players have the knowledge that they have someone behind them at all times if they happen to loose the ball. For England, however, this is not the case.

Both players like to attack and when the two are partnered in central midfield, Gerrard is the one who is asked to play deeper than Frank. However, Gerrard is a rip-roaring all-action player and is unable to simply sit in one position which means that the two players often play high up the pitch leaving little or no protection to the central defenders. Paul Scholes is the player England miss. He was a player who liked to attack but he made late runs into the penalty area which meant he was able to play deeper shoulder-to-shoulder with the more defensive midfielder such as Nicky Butt.

If England are ever to succeed in a major tournament with the squad England have, Steve McLaren must choose either Gerrard or Lampard to play alongside Carrick or Hargreaves. My personal choice would be Gerrard and Hargreaves as both players have a lot more to their physical game than Carrick and Lampard. However, if either are missing, England have the knowledge that they have two of the best covering players in Carrick and Lampard.

The only alternative is to play Gerrard on the right. This is a position he has played for Liverpool and England and has done well at. With Beckham now out of the frame, England's right side of midfield is looking for candidates and Lennon, Wright-Phillips and Pennant are all capable of filling it well. However, if McLaren is adamant that he cannot drop one of the two, Gerrard is quite capable of playing in that position.

Ideally, England's best midfield would be...
RM - Lennon
DM - Hargreaves
AM - Gerrard
LM - Cole

And the second choice midfield would be...
RM - WrightPhillips
DM - Carrick
AM - Lampard
LM - Downing

Both midfield options are formidable as long as the players are played in their natural positions. Steve McLaren was brave enough to get rid of Beckham but now he needs to make a firm decision on the 'Gerrard or Lampard' saga.