Lampard backs Capello call

Chelsea star recognises tough decision over strikers

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 7th September 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Lampard backs Capello call

Lampard: Trusts Capello's judgement

We need to keep cool heads, keep calm, but also show passion and desire to win the game. There certainly won't be tackles anyone is pulling out of.

Frank Lampard
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England midfielder Frank Lampard is confident manager Fabio Capello will make the correct decision when selecting between Emile Heskey or Jermain Defoe.

The Three Lions face Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday in a World Cup qualifier and a win would guarantee a place in the finals in South Africa in 2010.

Capello has a welcome selection headache ahead of the fixture where he must choose between Heskey, who has started recent matches, and substitute Defoe.

Tottenham star Defoe is in form after scoring five times in his last three internationals and there have been calls for the forward to be promoted above Heskey to the first XI.

Lampard, who was at West Ham with Defoe earlier in their careers, recognises the strengths of both players, and has backed Capello to make the right decision, telling a press conference live on Sky Sports News: "The question is the manager's decision.

Faith

"We all have faith in the manager. He has shown in his career, and now, that he makes the right decisions, more than not.

"I think both players have made great cases. Jermain has made the headlines because of his goalscoring.

"I've known Jermain since he was 16 years of age and knew he was going to go to the top because he is a natural goalscorer and that doesn't come around that often.

"Emile has made a great case constantly in the way he has played for England for a very long time.

"So the manager has a great option there for two different styles and it depends on the manager's decision which way it goes."

Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder Lampard has laughed off the claims from Croatia boss Slaven Bilic, who he was also at West Ham with during the 1996/97 season, that the current England side lack an 'Englishness' under Capello.

Concentrate

"I think Slaven is a very clever manager, a clever man, and he is saying things, probably, to get his own team worked up, to get them ready for the game," said the 31-year-old.

"Maybe it is things to get in our heads. It is very important we don't let all the talk affect us. We have to concentrate on getting ready for the game and playing.

"Certainly, the way we are playing at the moment, there is a confidence, there is a strength and a spirit in the team."

When pushed on the subject of 'Englishness', he added: "I don't understand what that means. We are an English team trying to win games. I don't know what 'missing Englishness' means."

Lampard is also determined to help erase the memory of the infamous defeat to Croatia at Wembley which meant England failed to qualify for Euro 2008.

"It was a very low point for all of us, individually and as a group. We won't forget that and will use it as a positive," he said.

"We need to keep cool heads, keep calm, but also show passion and desire to win the game. There certainly won't be tackles anyone is pulling out of."

Comments (18)

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John S says...

I think Heskey and Defoe are completely different, but both do what they do really well. Strikers like Rooney need somebody like Heskey to help deliver and make space for him, Defoe is probably a glory man trying to score too much himself now that he's had all the hype, it would conflict with the way Rooney plays. As for Lampard, I highly disagree with what most of you have been saying, he is one of the most important and talented players on the pitch, no way could capello not think about playing him. I would also like to add how brilliant I think Milner is, definate starting line-up player right there. Stronger and not as ball greedy as Ashley Young.

Posted 13:41 8th September 2009

Clint Hallam says...

Heskey one of the greatest English strikers??? His goal tally for his country tells all,look at Charlton,Lineker,Shearer and Owen!!! You play your form players and kill the game with goals,not like previous world and euro campains where previous managers have selected out of form players just because of who they were and got us nowhere.

Posted 06:43 8th September 2009

Jason Whittaker says...

To the posters saying Lampard and Gerrard not being in the team, can't help noticing your both Man Utd fans, so who should take their places then? I have a little suspicion you'd both say Hargreaves and Carrick. Though I think Hargreaves should get in the team if fit, it should be with Lampard and Gerrard. Carrick though good, is not in the same league as Frank and Steve, so don;t even try and make out he is. They may not perform amazing for England every time; but in Lampard and Gerrard we have 2 world class midfielders who have to change their game to suit England. And as for some posters, suggesting Heskey or Cole instead of Rooney! Are you mad? Rooney HAS to start, the guy is on fire.

Posted 05:41 8th September 2009

Peter Tan (Liverpool fan) says...

The reason why Capello still wants him on the pitch because he can attract most defenders and hence make space for Gerrard and Rooney. Capello DOESNT need to score. Meanwhile, dropping Rooney is gonna be a silly decision. He played so well last game and we could see him everywhere on the pitch. He's one of the most hardworking players on the pitch. I will go with Rooney and Heskey, Defoe will come on as a super sub. Giving him a starting place will be a big pressure for him.

Posted 03:12 8th September 2009

Matt Blundell (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I agree with Dan Welch, Heskey is two-bob at best. Throughout his career he has been a striker that doesn't score alot of goals. He is not good enough plain and simple, Defoe on the other hand is a pure goalscorer all through his career and on current form too. As far as people saying Lamps should not be in the team thats stupid, he's a terrific player and has started the season well, if anyone is below par lately its Gerrard but he too is class and should be in the team. Prediction: England 1 Croatia 0 Rooney

Posted 01:50 8th September 2009

Jonny B (Bristol Rovers fan) says...

I think Carlton Cole and Rooney should start, Cole is strong, holds the ball up well gets around players and gets a shot in. He's like a younger quicker version on Heskey just better. I still think defoe should come off the bench just because it just seems to work and i dont think we should ruin that.

Posted 00:04 8th September 2009

Robbie Birchall (Manchester United fan) says...

Play Gerrard where he does for liverpool - just off the front man, with Rooney up top. Defoe's an impact player nothing more. Gerrard and Rooney would make a far better strike force. That leaves the left open for Milner and Frank and Barry in the middle.

Posted 23:12 7th September 2009

Quintine Yiwombe (Chelsea fan) says...

Defoe is the best striker in the England squad right now and Capello must either be blind or plain stupid not to pick him in the starting XI against Croatia. Heskey's days have long past.

Posted 21:46 7th September 2009

Tee Hodgkiss (Liverpool fan) says...

Defoe is the most inform striker in the whole premiership at the moment not just the inform english striker....he has obviously worked hard over the summer and therefore deserves his chance especially if he os competing with Heskey, who has hardly played at villa. Why is Lampard even bothered he should sort his own performance out 1st as he is possibly the most overated player in the Englnd squad

Posted 15:47 7th September 2009

Andrew Mccay (Chelsea fan) says...

I think Capello want Heskey because he's physically better than Defoe and from set pieces he will be more useful than Defoe.

Posted 15:29 7th September 2009

Big Al (Newcastle United fan) says...

Personally, I would start with both Heskey and Defoe, and drop Rooney altogether. I believe that he was poor against Slovenia, contrary to popular opinion. People look at his all-round game, but you could say exactly the same for Heskey, and Heskey gets more assists. I also believe that Heskey and Defoe would be a great strike partnership, with Carlton Cole coming off the bench to bring a different dimension to the team. Moreover, I also believe that for a £30 million striker, Rooney does not score enough goals, therefore, I would play both Heskey and Defoe against Croatia and for the rest of the campaign.

Posted 15:26 7th September 2009

Paul H (Manchester United fan) says...

agree with jonny,lampard should not be in team,gerrard links wth rooney ok but offers nothing else.if hargreaves gets back and fit he still has a chance for world cup.

Posted 15:26 7th September 2009

David P (Aston Villa fan) says...

Heskey isn't first choice for us at Villa, in a 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 formation. Although the other strikers like playing with him he probably shouldn't be starting for England. Personally I don't think Rooney should be either. Cole and Defoe would be a more effective partnership with Rooney coming on as an impact sub!

Posted 15:25 7th September 2009

George Monkhouse (Fulham fan) says...

what about peter crouch and carlton cole? I would play defoe and rooney or crouch and rooney. i'd even play cole and rooney before putting heskey in the starting XI. heskey is a big lump, which can be incredibly useful, but rooney doesn't often play his best for england unless gerrard is on the field with him.

Posted 15:13 7th September 2009

James Hatton (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Good shout lampard! I think Heskey does play well for England on most occasions and links up well with Rooney how ever Defoe is on top form and that cant be ignored! However is Defoe better off the bench when the opposition has tired legs?? any how good luck chaps lets book that World cup place, J-in-Dubai.

Posted 14:46 7th September 2009

Dan Welch (Crystal Palace fan) says...

I DO NOT see what Capello sees in Heskey. Heskey is nothing more than a slow sloppy useless excuse for a striker. How much goals has heskey scored? Defoe has proven time again that he can score at the top level.

Posted 14:23 7th September 2009

Gary Sealiton (Aston Villa fan) says...

I think Heskey is one of the greatest strikers England has ever had, his strength and determination allows our midfield to play to the strength of our players. Why play Jermaine instead, who seems to just be on a good run of form. We all know current form has no correlation to future form.

Posted 14:22 7th September 2009

Jonny L (Manchester United fan) says...

I don't think lampard should be worrying about who plays upfront. He, along with Gerrard should be worrying about who is gonna take their places. Both consistently under-perform for England too the point I don't even think they deserve a place in the squad, nevermind a starting role.

Posted 14:22 7th September 2009
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