Sorry to bring this one up again but I didn’t start it, John Terry did!
The Chelsea skipper has said that he firmly believes that Frank Lampard is the best midfield player in England.
“Frank does it season after season. He is different class. In training he is unbelievable and he works so hard on his shooting and his running off the ball. We will do a warm-down and he will be doing laps around the field on his own. He is an inspiration to everyone in the team to really push on and give it everything in our short careers.”
Whilst there are several other contenders around the country, I would imagine that this would boil down to a straight choice between Lampard and Liverpool’s Steve Gerrard. There have been many arguments about whether they can play together, but which one is actually the better player?
It is not possible to compare players in a totally scientific way, but there are some categories where you can compare like for like. We’ll try to do that here and see if a clear winner emerges.
Despite an apparent loss of form last season, Lampard continues to be a driving force for Chelsea in the middle of the park, and scored a wonderful chip during a comfortable 3-0 win over Hull on Wednesday.
Gerrard has also had his doubters but is still the ‘main man’ at Liverpool, and when they needed someone with a cool head to take a crucial penalty on Wednesday, there was nobody else in the frame.
We can look at statistics in relation to games played, goals scored, team honours won, England caps and goals and personal awards won, particularly those selected by other players.
International Career
In relation to England caps, Gerrard has seventy and has scored fourteen goals and Lampard has sixty-six and has also scored fourteen goals. That is too close to award that section to either of them. I would say that both players have performed, on average, slightly below the level for England than we all think they could do when watching them at their clubs.
It is impossible to award this category to either man and therefore the score remains at:
Steve Gerrard 0-0 Frank Lampard
Club career
We will look at the statistics since the 2001-02 season when both players were established at their current clubs and with the national side.
Steve Gerrard has played three hundred and fifty two games in all competitions, scoring ninety goals. Frank Lampard has played three hundred and eighty three games and scored one hundred and seventeen goals.
Lampard nicks the award on games played but of course, he hasn’t been subject to Rafa Benitez’s wonderful rotation policy. In any case, he has only played an average of about four extra games per season, so I am not giving this section to him based purely on that.
The ratio of goalscoring needs to be used as well. For Gerrard the figure is one goal every 3.70 games. Lampard comes in at one goal every 3.27 games.
Based on the fact that Lampard has played slightly more games and scores slightly more often, this section goes to him.
Steve Gerrard 0-1 Frank Lampard
Team honours
Steve Gerrard has collected seven medals with Liverpool in the time period we are looking at. He has won the Champions League, two Uefa Super Cups, the FA Cup, the League Cup and two community shields.
Frank Lampard has collected six medals. Two Premier Leagues, the FA Cup, two League Cups and the Community Shield.
I’m not sure you can split them on this one. I think Stevie G would probably swap his Champions League medal for Lamps’ Premier League one, but Lamps would probably be happy to do that swap.
After this season, one of the players might take a serious lead, but at the moment it is too close to call.
Steve Gerrard 0-1 Frank Lampard
Individual honours
Both players have been recognised for their ability and they have been awarded the title of Uefa Club Player of the Year on one occasion. They have also both been selected in the FIFpro world team and the Uefa team of the year, but Gerrard has the edge on both of those statistics.
Steve Gerrard has once been voted as the players player of the year by his fellow professionals, an award that Lampard has never won. That puts Steve Gerrard in the lead and the final point to sway things in his favour is that on five occasions his fellow professionals have selected him in their Premier League team of the year. Frank Lampard has also been selected, but only on three occasions.
Great record for both, but there can only be one winner.
Steve Gerrard 1-1 Frank Lampard
There we are then. After all that I’ve got them absolutely level again. Come on, you can decide once and for all. Who is the best, Gerrard or Lampard?
Pretty bad article – correct me if I’m wrong but you have missed out either the 2001 or 2006 FA cup with Gerrard, he’s got 2 FA Cup medals.
You’ve also missed out either the 2001 or 2003 league cup – he’s won two of them, and also missed out the Uefa cup of 2001 – i make it 10 honours in total.
pointless and fact less article
The point of the article is to raise debate about who is the better player out of Gerrard and Lampard. The statistics are there to give an idea of what they have achieved.
I hoped that people would look at the argument and join in the debate.
That is really difficult to say that who is best. You wrote some points. Which some of them are right and by some of them we can’t evaluate them like club achievement team honour. Because so much money spend on chealse and they bought so many good players and lampard is playing with very good players and they should win more trophies but the didn’t. and now we will focus on Liverpool club they don’t have that much good players as Chealse and they also didn’t spend that much money like chealse. But they have very good achievement. In my opinion Steven Gerrard is best. If he played with those player like lampard he could achieved so many trophies.
I think your conclusion is wrong. On technical ability, Gerard leads. On influence on team, drive and inspiration, Gerard leads, goals scored, lamps lead, trophies won, Gerard leads. All though for both at club level. Foreign players drive chelsea while Gerard is pivotal to liverpool and drives their machine. That is why they made two champions league finals and a semi-final in four years. It is the recognition of such monumental feats that made their peers name Gerard on five occasions, more than for lamps. Come May when liverpool win the Baclays premiership may be England will then play him ahead of lamps. Then wait for the first time, England will see the inspirational surging drives that Gerard gives liverpool to win in the big games. Ask ac milan, inter, Barca, and even chelsea.
You left out many of Gerrard’s club honors, and also scoring goals is not the only job a midfielder has. Also, Lampard has an absolute dream team around him when he won the Prem, Gerrard inspired a comeback from 3-0 down against mighty AC Milan in the CL final. You can’t leave out important stats for one player and not do the same for the other player. Also Gerrard has been at Liverpool forever, an admirable quality these days. Talent wise I’d say they are pretty even, but I give it to Gerrard because Lamps comes across as an asshole.
I agree with patricks last sentence
Although some facts have been left out great article Graham. Articles that stir the emotions are great to read. Steven Gerrard is the heart and soul of Liverpool and England. Steven Gerrard out of form still performs better than any other midfielder in England. Of course John Terry would support his team mate, but then again i don’t think Terry’s view count as he is also on the way out. Steven Gerrard should be the Captain of England with Rio Fredinand. Just my 2 cents…
Sorry guys before i forget, Go the Anfield Boys, this is the year of the REDS.
Captain John Terry is Lampard’s teammate therefore will say anything in favour of Lampard. As a Captain, i don’t expect him to be making this kind of comments in public to favour his teammate.
Nevertheless, the whole world knows that Gerrard is far far better than Lampard.
I think and I know Steven.G is the best
Great steve g.no one can ever be compared with him.lampard is his kid.lamps learn from thy master
There’s just no comparison between the two, Gerrard is far ahead of Lampard even in goal scoring, we all know a reasonable percentage of lampards goals are penalties compared with gerrard. And apart from some of gerrard’s achievement that was left out from the article, nobody is talking about gerrard’s versitility, put him anywhere and he would deliver. Terry deep down would want gerrard in his team like they tried 3times but failed.
Michael Carrick is better.
baka please go back to school, when we talk about gerrard carrick doesn’t exist.
Baka is a Man u asshole. owen Hargreaves cant even be named in the same class as Gerard and Lampard. Try keeping slaven Ronaldo who, by the way, is not English. The English players at Man u stink. Carick? I think they bought him after losing Mikel to Chelsea. I belive i am correck to say he is no class act. Again Gerard betas Lampard. Europe knows., Mourinho also agree.
well said Franco
I still think that Michael Carrick is the best. He is a lazy midfield general. He can walk around passing the ball, sometimes he makes a little run and shoots wide. He scores twice each season and still won 2 Premier Leage titles and teh European Championship title. Plus Carrick is very cute when he smiles.
By the way, Liverpool and Chelsea stink.
Liverpool = spanish legion
Chelsea = the pride of Russia (or maybe the pride of Red Rom) lol
Baka , the Spanish armada was the most feared in feudal times at sea. Anyway, as to wining two premierships and a championsleague, my reply is that carrick was a shadow in the cricial semis and final. He just made up the number for man u. No one other u will remember him in years ahead since he is block head like his fans. Plus methinks u r ugly, since you consider carrick cute.
Gerrard is a pussycat. He called Gattuso a “pussycat” while he is teh pussycat.
BTW, FRANCO, you can’t even spell “Gerrard” right.
baka, i know people like u, u make so much noise yet know so little about football. carrick is not even known in manchester yet you consider him as better than gerrard and lampard. ok i understand, you want to give him cheap publicity. forget it, it won’t work. fergie would willingly give up carrick for any of those two. so as i said earlier, baka u really need to go back to school to learn football or betterstill i can give you tips. holla at me.
baka, what came into your mind before mentioning Mike Carrick? We’re taking about midfield paricipants not those behind the scenes.
how can you compare a lazy midfielder t active ones, baka???
I am strongly in doubt if Baka knows his left from right, what criteria did he put in place to claim Carrick is the best mildfielder,can he even be compared to mikel.Pls we should argue objectively on issues.On the other hand Steven G Is just too good to be compared with any mildfielder , ask Ancelloti he will tell you how deadly he is in front of goal,how he could be defensive minded.
Can’t you richards see that I was joking? Paul Scholes is the best english midfielder!!!!!!
By the way, who’s Mikel? I have a black puppy called Mikel.
baka you are the joke
…and who cares if the name of your black puppy is baka
1. Stephen Gerrard
2. Paul Scholes
3. Cesc Fabrigas
4. Frank Lampard
5. Michael Carrick
6. Mikel
7. Anderson
Gerrard is the best midfielder worldwide
I definetely think gerrard is the better midfielder, no problem. He has so much more skill and experience. Micael carrick barely plays ever! when he does he stinks so does Man. Utd Gerrard is bettter than any midfielder anywhere at anytime
baka you dont know what your talking about! sorry but you should watch a soccer game once and a while!
sorry
Mosh I don’t know what you are talking about! Sorry but I watch soccer games every weekend!
Sorry
with no doughbt that steve gerard is better he is whole sprit in his team,
ronalo is the new king othe europe and world in general take a bow the kingm as arrived.
Steven Gerrard is the best player. To me he is far more superior. Gerrard is versatile, has better defensive qualities and has more “heart” when he plays.
He also cover more of the pitch than Lampard.
In my opinion, Gerarrd alongside Xavi are the best midfielders in the world.
i think steven gerrad is fine better than funking lampard
east to west gerrad is the best
and i would like to say that gerrad has more capability to be captain of england.and was the best for ever.
Gerrard is the best actor. Sure.
Gerrard is by far the best in England and prabably the world. I would say him and Pirlo would be great together, but thats just me. and Yes, he should definatly captain England. Btw qudus ronaldo isn’t that good. sure he can take on a few players outside and can hit a good ball. But in the scope of things he isn’t consistant and focuses on his own carier insted on the succses of Man. U, that’s why everyone thinks he’s an a-hole. And if you wanted a good winger that plays like Ronaldo, look at Messi or Kaka.
Baka, no offense but u seem confused.u said Michael Carrick is the best midfielder in the world and now Paul Scholes is the best english midfielder.i know u know deep down in ur heart that there is no better midfielder at the moment to be compared to Steven G so why raise baseless arguments.
By the way are u a Man U fan?
It is undeniable that both Gerrard and Lampard are world-class players whom have been recognized for their own individual talents in field. Scoring a goal is not an arduous task for both of them. “What an unbelieveable goal!” We always have to praise them whenever we watch EPL and champions league. They are creative, adept in short pass and long pass,borned with natural free-kicked instincts, we are often enchaned by their incredulous free-kicks from 20 yards, 30 yards. Not only is Lampard dominant in Chelsea’s squad, but Gerrard is absolutely respectable captain of Anfield. The only answer towards who is the best player will be different from one person to another since beauty lies in eyes of beholder.
However, individually they are flawless but what we need is their best duo-effort to bring back the reminiscence of 1966 World Cup glory back to our country under new era of Capello. Every player has his uniqueness. Distinguishing who is the better player is like making more competitive to each other and destroying their mutual co-operative effort, what is being relentlessly undertaken by so-called “media” nowadays, for their sake of lucrative money in selling journals and magazine to general public who are gullible, navie and receptive to everything what are contained in fabricated articles.
“United we stand, divded we fall!” If they are united, they will surely suceed every opponent they face and bring the glory back to England.
Frank is the best midfielder
Dylan what are you on about? I’m a red through n through and I can admit that ronaldo is and will continue to be the best player in europe and the world. I don’t care how much of a diver he is, he scored 42 goals last year! Fernando torres was the best striker in the world last year and he scored 33 and that was an amazing achieved. So to not be an out n out striker and bag that many goals is an incredible achievement.They wouldn’t put him and denis law in the same sentence if he was shite. But this is stupid to argue anyway cuz the article’s about gerrard and lamps.
It’s very simple. Have you (everyone) ever seen steven gerrard strike a ball? Why has no one mentioned this yet? He has by far the most vicious and terrifyingly accurate shot in the entire world! Gerrard is also faster, stronger defensively, smarter, and hard working than fat frank could ever aspire to be. When liverpool need a miracle who’s there? When chelsea need a pie eaten who’s there? That about sums it up I think.
And btw they’re both shit for england, but gerrard has been better. I think the main difference between the gerrard and lamps is that gerrard influences games. Lampard is just there. W/o gerrard lfc are a completely different machine. W/o lampard chelsea are sometimes better. You all get the point. Gerrard is in a completely different stratosphere than lampard. I can’t believe people try to compare them.
It’s very simple. Steven Gerrard = Liverpool. Frank Lampard = Just a cheque for me to get him to lick my shoes. I get all I want in the world of football, and some say in the whole world. But there’s just this ‘little’ something I can never get. And that’s Mr Stevie G. He has to be God. And God controls me. So Gerrard rules every single one of us.
Well Said Dylan. I’m a Man Utd Fan, but honestly speaking, Gerrard is the better player. Lampard may be in his best form now, but when Gerrard is in his best form, you can’t compare the two of the them. Gerrard is the sure winner. And to baka, carrick and scholes are good players too. But this article is about Gerrard and Lampard, so you shouldn’t talk about them. Look at all the negative comments about you. lol.
Well Said Justin. I’m a Man Utd Fan, but honestly speaking, Gerrard is the better player. Lampard may be in his best form now, but when Gerrard is in his best form, you can’t compare the two of the them. Gerrard is the sure winner. And to baka, carrick and scholes are good players too. But this article is about Gerrard and Lampard, so you shouldn’t talk about them. Look at all the negative comments about you. Haha.
Cheers vr
And baka, watch some footy mate
Steven gerrard is way better then anyone that plays midfield gerrard is the heart of englands midfield.