Can Frank Lampard & Steven Gerrard play together for England?

The two greatest goal scoring midfielders of their generation yet can not perform in unison at international level. First it was the Swede Sven, then the ‘Wally in the Brolly’ McClaren, and now the ‘T**t in the hat’ Capello. The three were handed the task of managing two of England’s greats, but unable to find a successful solution.

Gerrard & Lampard. Can they work together?

England have been renowned for sticking to their traditional 4-4-2 system, and though its weaknesses are disguised against lower quality teams. Inevitably, it dramatically backfires against the world’s best. The most recent example being played off the park for the majority of the game by our neighbours France. Capello, the latest in the long line of managers to never really get the best out of these two on a consistent basis, must simply understand that his formation just does not work. Both are technically gifted, and should be given the licence to roam, a passport to just travel around the whole pitch at will. But, playing the two in a two-man central midfield automatically instils the idea that one of them must be back to cover the defence at all times, compromising their attacking abilities.

At their respective clubs, both like to break from midfield, knowing that the likes of Michael Essien, and Lucas (I know I did just say Lucas Leiva), resume their defensive positions and their fixation means that Lampard and Gerrard are allowed to break into the box and support the attack. A successful formula, and it is clear that the system is not the simplistic 4-4-2.

Capello must realise that he should not compensate either of the two so that the other can play at their full potential. More often than not, it has been Steven Gerrard who is forced onto a wide left position to accommodate Lampard and Barry. Capello must play five across the midfield, with Barry and Gerrard sitting, with three attacking midfielders above them (ideally Ashley Young, Frank Lampard and then either Lennon or Walcott) with Rooney playing a lone striker.

Clearly, Gerrard is a much better proposition than Lampard when it comes to dictating a game, and influencing it from a much deeper position, and for that reason, Gerrard has to be the main man when it comes to who deserves the central midfield position.

Ultimately, it all comes down to Gareth Barry. The Manchester City man is to use the cliché ‘the key cog in the England wheel’. Barry allows both Gerrard and Lampard to join up with Rooney, knowing that the counter-attack is pretty much covered. But in light of recent performances, the England fans are getting on the back of Barry, and that could potentially mean disaster for these two key players.

So, after years of trying, this could finally be the answer to England’s unanswerable question. A 4-2-3-1 formation that seems to be the tactics used by most clubs on their way to success e.g Mourinho’s Inter Milan. Gerrard and Lampard CAN work together, but both having reached the ripe old age of 30, is their time to implement this system and will Mr Capello change his stubborn chance to give this formation a go? Only time will tell…..