The Absence of Frank

The Independent newspaper’s blog pages carry a controversial post from Henry Deedes who dares to suggest that the continuing absence from the Chelsea line-up of Frank Lampard, dealing with the recent death of his mother, is a sign of unprofessionalism given the magnitude of the current fixture list. Not surprisingly the majority of responses from fellow bloggers have been vehemently critical of Deedes, but I can appreciate where he is coming from. Agreeing with his viewpoint, however, is another matter.

Lampard is coping with a situation which I have no experience of, one which we all have to confront at some point and one which everyone must handle in their own individual way. For the majority of us who exist in far less profile employment, getting back to work may present an opportunity to shift the focus back to the ongoing trials and tribulations of life, albeit with an ultimately uncostly blip in short-term performance. International footballers are not afforded this luxury – they are expected to produce time after time, regardless of circumstance.

Whether Lampard is in a position to provide his best displays at a time when a handful of key matches will define the English and European seasons should not be an issue. Chelsea, unlike most employers, have a wealth of resources at their disposal to compensate for the loss of one individual. In remaining out of the spotlight, Lampard may feel that with his mind not in a position to concentrate at its optimum level, the team’s goals will be better served by the inclusion of a more than capable deputy.

He should be welcomed back to the fold in his own time, when he feels he is ready to do so.

Sorry Avram, but Chelsea does not deserve title

Since becoming the manager of Chelsea last September, Avram Grant has succeeded in returning some semblance of dignity and respect to the Stamford Bridge club which had been all but removed by his narcissistic predecessor. Despite salvaging the wreckage of Chelsea’s early season form, however, Grant continues to be pilloried by the new generation of supporter in West London; those who have solely experienced the bullying, arrogance, moral bankruptcy and hollow glories of the Oligarch Era.

Grant could not have faced a more daunting debut than Manchester United at Old Trafford, but following that timid 2-0 defeat he quietly guided his troops into contention for an unlikely quadruple of trophies before elimination at the hands of Tottenham (in the League Cup Final) and Barnsley (FA Cup) switched the focus firmly onto the two major prizes.

Only one Premiership match has been lost since his first game and that came against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium due to a blunder by Petr Cech. The possibility of a trip to Moscow next month to contest the Champions’ League Final remains a firm possibility if Grant can outmanoeuvre Rafa Benitez, the Liverpool manager, in the semi-final; a task which Jose Mourinho proved so spectacularly incapable of achieving.

Speaking in the aftermath of Manchester United’s thrilling victory over Arsenal yesterday, Grant was quoted making some interesting remarks on the title race in today’s Times newspaper. “It’s been a very difficult year, I don’t know if other clubs could do what we’re doing – the injuries to big players, the African Cup of Nations, all the problems we’ve had and we’re still winning games, ” he said. He is correct in that it has been a troublesome year for the club, but the availability of untold riches lavished on Chelsea’s squad does render the comparison to other clubs as completely irrelevant.

As for the title race, Grant opined that “we deserve it after what we’ve had this year”. Although he is entitled to his own opinion, few will share his sentiments. Are Chelsea deserving of the title because of the attractive, expansive, free-flowing, exciting nature of their play? That box remains firmly unticked. Are Chelsea deserving of the title because of the exhilarating quality and talents displayed by some of the greatest footballers of the present day? That box remains firmly unticked. Are Chelsea deserving of the title because of their outstanding sportsmanship, acceptance of refereeing decisions and general attitude towards their fellow professionals? Best not even go there, agreed Ashley?

Given how he appeared from relative obscurity to become manager of one of Europe’s most prominent club sides, Grant will be all too aware that in football you do not necessarily get what you deserve. You get what you get, irrespective of meritocracy. That said, it would appear that Emile Heskey’s injury-time equaliser for Wigan at Stamford Bridge this evening all but seals another championship for Sir Alex Ferguson’s highly deserving Manchester United team.