Frank Lampard, Chelsea FC’s veteran midfielder, could be the latest casualty of an abominable club policy of disposing of players over 30-years-old.
Lampard could join the likes of Nicholas Anelka, Alex, Ricardo Carvalho and Champions League hero Didier Drogba, who were shipped out of Stamford Bridge in the past two seasons.
This unfortunate policy is the brain-child of temperamental Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.
The Russian billionaire’s objective is to redevelop the Blues into a team capable of playing free flowing, attacking football in the mould of Spanish giants Barcelona.
Most Chelsea fans agree that players who have served with distinction should not be dumped.
Former Chelsea assistant manager, Ray Wilkins, has criticised the club’s approach to elder players:
“In my opinion it’s the wrong decision. You need these older players to show the youngsters what it means to play for Chelsea,” he said.
Abramovich’s preference for youth over experience is disappointing given the performances of Chelsea’s veterans, including Lampard.
Few players have made a greater contribution to the modern Chelsea than Lampard, who captained the team as it won its first European Cup in May 2012.
Wilkins used Lampard’s match-winning performance at Everton last week as evidence that Chelsea’s vice-captain still had plenty in the tank.
‘He was fantastic (against Everton), wasn’t he? In the 11 games he’s played, he’s got six goals already,” Wilkins said.
Wilkins, a former Chelsea and Manchester United Striker suggested that if Chelsea were to offload Lampard, the Red Devils should sign him up.
‘He’ll cost nothing, he’s about four years younger than Giggs and Scholes and he scores goals from midfield. He’s scored more goals this year than Carrick, Cleverley and Scholes combined,” he said.
Wilkins has got a point. Manchester United have a strong history of employing veteran players, who not only bolster squad strength, but have been decisive in winning trophies.
One only need look at the contribution made by former United striker Teddy Sheringham in the club’s 1999 Treble-winning squad.
33-year-old Sheringham scored a late equaliser against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer score the winner for United.
Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, 38 and 39 respectively, are still playing and scoring goals for the current Premier League leaders.
Lampard cannot become another victim of Abramovich’s meddling. The club owes its modern success to its older players. And they still have much more to give.
If Abramovich requires further proof maybe he should look at Barcelona, the club whose style and success he seeks to emulate. Veterans Xavi and Carles Puyol are honoured as the elder heads who provide the heartbeat of the club; they’re not shown the door.
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