The Marksman wrote:[
1) You're not really comparing like with like, so saying "ahead of x" is not valid. Lampard plays best as the most advanced midfielder of a central three, getting into the box. Schweinsteiger is more of a creative, passing midfielder who stays deeper. At Chelsea, they'd probably play together in a central three along with a destroyer-type, but in a central two I'd definitely pick the German over the Englishman because Lampard offers so little other than shooting - and he's now got the record for most shots at the World Cup without a goal.
2) Again, they're not really alike. They probably could play together in a central two if needed, but I stand by my thought that if they were both at Man U Klose would be up front and Rooney wide left. However, if it was a straight choice between the two as a lone striker, then yes, I'd agree with you and pick Rooney.
3) Terry has been declining for a couple of years now and injuries have played their part in this. He can still bark orders with the best of them but his declining pace is starting to make him a liability. Mertesacker as the younger fitter man would get my vote.
Okay - we're in danger of going round in circles so this is my last on this. Lampard offers Chelsea far, far more than merely shooting.
However my main point was that, prior to THAT game, there were a clutch of players in the England team who - compared to their reasonably described 'equivalents' in the Germany team - would have been rated as better by most people throughout Europe. It was in response to a comment that our players are simply not good enough and we should all just accept that.
I don't.
There's no doubting that they played as if they weren't good enough in SA but I will continue to maintain that had they showed their best club form they were plenty good enough to beat Germany.