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Chelsea Legend Frank Lampard reflects on England's purported Golden Generation, which was spearheaded by Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes and himself.
Frank Lampard, the former midfield maestro for Chelsea and England, has recently dispelled the long-standing notion that England's so-called 'Golden Generation' squandered their potential.
In an engaging chat on the "Stick to Football" podcast, Lampard gave his insights into the challenges faced by the team during the 2002, 2006, and 2010 World Cups, as well as Euro 2004.
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14:12 - 08.11.2023
Chelsea legend Lampard settles long-standing Gerrard vs Scholes debate, reveals superior player
Former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard lifted the lid on the ongoing debate between him and his former England teammates Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes.
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20:40 - 07.11.2023
Chelsea legends Mikel and Lampard lament Iniesta's goal and referee Ovrebo in Barcelona's Champions League triumph
Mikel and Lampard lament Ovrebo's officiating in Chelsea's Champions League loss to Barcelona.
Dissecting the 'Golden Generation' Myth
Lampard, reflecting on England's performance in key tournaments, argued against the label of 'Golden Generation'. He pointed out the rigidity in their playstyle, especially when facing teams that weren't traditionally football powerhouses.
"I think at times, we [the Golden Generation] were too rigid," Lampard explained. He highlighted how tactical constraints, especially in midfield, affected their performance against teams like Ecuador.
"The Golden Generation tag was nonsense anyway; no one proclaimed us as a Golden Generation. There’s some good players in that squad but so did Italy and France, who had Andrea Pirlo and Zinedine Zidane. International football is always a challenge to win, and that’s an old story now."
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Lampard on Scholes and His Own Future
Lampard also delved into his relationship with Paul Scholes, another midfield legend from the ‘Golden Generation’. He recounted the initial competition for places and Scholes' eventual retirement from international football post-Euro 2004.
"Paul Scholes is an incredible player, and when I first got into the England squad, I probably upset the apple cart a little bit because I was another attacking midfielder, so we had three of them," he said. Lampard praised Scholes' transformation into a deeper role at Manchester United, acknowledging his exceptional career.
He contested the suggestion by many, usually in hindsight, that the Manchester United man should have been employed in a deeper role; however, Lampard explained that Scholes typically crashed the box and only transitioned into a deeper role in the twilight of his career.
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