Frank Lampard Dropped From England Lineup For Qualifier

by Graham MacAree on Sep 2, 2011 6:10 PM BST in Chelsea FC: Players

Well, I suppose this is big Chelsea news. Frank Lampard has been dropped from England's starting lineup while available for the first time in four years, failing to break into an England team that features Scott Parker and Gareth Barry in a central midfield pairing for a Euro 2012 qualifying match against Bulgaria. It's unknown whether or not Lampard has made the bench, but I'd guess that a) he has and b) he won't play anyway unless something goes horribly wrong. Here's the full lineup, which features Ashley Cole and John Terry in defence:

England (4-4-1-1): Joe Hart; Ashley Cole, John Terry, Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling; Stewart Downing, Gareth Barry, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott; Ashley Young, Wayne Rooney.

I think it's safe to say that despite being a minor blow to Lampard's and Chelsea's pride, this is probably a good thing for the team and the player. Lampard is in a phase of his career where rest times matter more and more, and he can't expect to keep playing every single game he's available for. This is one of the reasons Chelsea brought in former Liverpool man Raul Meireles on Wednesday, and prioritising the 33-year-old's fitness will keep him fresh for the stretch run.

Could this be the end of Lampard's England career? There's speculation about that, of course, but I don't think anyone knows how the midfielder will react to being dropped. If he does choose to retire, however, I don't see any way that's not a good thing for Chelsea. He's got limited time left in those legs, and the club needs Lampard playing for them, not for England.

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Super Frank is too good for England.

by IndianBlue on Sep 2, 2011 6:17 PM BST reply actions

Gareth Barry??

LMAO.

by DPeezy on Sep 2, 2011 6:31 PM BST reply actions

I wonder if Scott Parker would’ve still got picked if he was in relegated West Ham.Has a non premier league player represented England before? Pardon my oblivion.Not a fan of the Internationals.

by IndianBlue on Sep 2, 2011 6:37 PM BST reply actions

They have.

But I think it’s mostly been in friendlies. The problem the England have always had which is now being addressed is that they put all the best players on. Not the best team. therefore people have had to play out of position, over the top of people and in a formation that doesn’t benefit them. Lampard isn’t very effective with 4 players in front of him as part of a double pivot. Barry and Parker are both more suited to those roles. It’s about putting out your best team, not your best players.

by Famouscfc on Sep 2, 2011 10:50 PM BST up reply actions

I loathe Barry. How he plays for us I will never know.

Of course we also played Heskey because he could defend well.

by CFCNole on Sep 2, 2011 6:41 PM BST reply actions

I too am astonished Barry is still picked after the way Ozil roasted him in the WC even when Barry had a 10 yard head start

by KidCanada on Sep 2, 2011 7:10 PM BST up reply actions

I'm ecstatic to see this

He’s just at the age where he really needs to be used more sparingly to be effective anyway.

by Stephen Schmidt on Sep 2, 2011 6:50 PM BST reply actions

He has never been particularly effective for England anyway

The insistence on using the ‘traditional’ (read: shit) flat 4-4-2 doesn’t really enable Frank to play to his strengths. I feel sorry for Frank being dropped, I’m sure he’ll be disappointed, but he should probably have retired from the international game after the last World Cup.

by deg0ey on Sep 2, 2011 7:35 PM BST reply actions

Dear ESPN3

Fuck you and your HTTP Status 500 “Single Sign On failed” errors.

by DPeezy on Sep 2, 2011 7:36 PM BST reply actions

I feel for Frank..

I know it is probably bet for CFC is Frank gets less playing time with the national team but I am sure he wishes this was not the case. As others have said the 442 played by England has not let him play his best for the Three Lions but I hope he is appreciated by their fan base. As an American I’d kill for someone of Frank’s quality on the pitch.
If this is the beginnng of the end, Im sad to see it. Lampard was one of the reasons I began to follow soccer. A true Chelsea legend. Will always appreciate his work ethic and finishing ability

by Jimm Bmore on Sep 2, 2011 7:49 PM BST reply actions

That being said...

I do believe he has a couple (or more) years less that he can contribute to Chelsea. Desperately need a big year from him this year…I hope he sticks around Stamford Bridge like Scholes and Giggs have for United and AVB picks his spots to use him in the future

by Jimm Bmore on Sep 2, 2011 7:50 PM BST up reply actions

by Iced O on Sep 3, 2011 2:42 AM BST reply actions

Not necessarily

He’ll likely be rotated by AVB regardless of what happens with England, so the amount of time (however many/few minutes) Josh gets shouldn’t be affected.

by Al Benson on Sep 3, 2011 3:54 AM BST up reply actions