Right I am doing the Ballack Lampard comparison a bit differently. So here is the analysis with compilation links for your viewing pleasure, and I will post the stats in about half an hour once people have milled this over.
So here we have Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack. Along with Steven Gerrard and Juninho Pernambucano, I would say they are the two best AMF out there today. Lampard is the lynchpin of Chelsea, and it was so with Ballack when he was at Bayern Munich. But now Chelsea have captured the German skipper, they will be playing alongside each other in what could possibly develop into undoubtedly the strongest midfield in Europe. With Ballack able to play in varying positions across the midfield, it looks certain to turn into a combination of Lampard, Ballack and Essein which is a frightening combination. But will it work out? Lampard and Gerrard have struggled to play together at the heart of England's midfield, so how will Lampard and Ballack fair together?
Some of you may think hold on, Lampard has already been published? True, but I wanted to include him in this comparison for two reasons. Firstly, I have made a couple of tweaks to his stats here and there. And mainly because of his performance in the World Cup. Do not think that his performances at the world cup have brought about a change in his stats, as that is NOT true. Firstly I feel that I can highlight a certain lesson by republishing Lampard's stats after the World Cup. As we all know, he had a poor World Cup, not managing to score once and looking sluggish and uncomfortable. Now I have read many things across forums, and recieved many requests for an updated set of stats after his performances. The lesson that I want to try and teach is about one of the fundamentals of stat editing, and that is: A player always has his abilities. Just like a player doesnt get better moving to a better club, a player doesnt get worse after a few bad games. The amount of requests I had saying what were Lampards revised shooting stats. I even had one guy trying to persuade me that Lampard needs to have 68 for shot accuracy. The fact remains that Lampard is one of the best finishers there is, better in fact than many strikers. PLayers like Ballack, Lampard, Gerrard, Juninho are some of the best finishers, and like I said, better than many strikers. So the fact that Lampard couldnt hit the goal to save his life in the World cup, DOES NOT mean that he needs his shooting stats lowering. He still needs 87 for shot accuracy, because the fact remains is he is a finisher of the highest calibre. So from this we can also learn another valuable lesson: The only way to do truly accurate stats is to watch LOTS of footage. If a person was to do Lampards stats on his World Cup performances, then they would be way off. So to get the best results we have to watch LIVE footage, and lots of it!
Now I have that out the way I think we can get on to the actual comparison. Remember that we arent really trying to see who's better, but to see how they might fair in the same midfield, and to try and get an insight as to what might happen this season at Stamford Bridge.
Positioning and awareness - For me Lampard, has spacial awareness and positioning second to none. He always has his head up and is completely aware of other players positioning and he knows how to move and exploit the space. Ballack is also great at this, but for me Lampard is superb at it. His ability to position himself in places that make him accessible from all areas, both from defence and attack makes him the core of Chelsea's midfield, and his constant subtle movement always creates an option for other players to escape to. So with Ballack playing alongside him, I believe we will see several things. I have a feeling it might free up space for Frank, as Michael is a very Physical player who likes to draw players using his physique. I think its quite possible we might see teams trying to man mark him, and if Lampard can feed off this I think he could enjoy a bigger goals return than even last season! Teams are undoubtedly going to be aware of the shooting prowess of the two players, and so they will probably try ro keep tight on them. I think we will really see Lampards tremendous positional sense and the ability to work in a cramped midfield shine this season, and with Ballack alongside him I think they will both feed off each other, and use one others positioning to their advantage in regards to drawing out players. To sum this up I would say that they both have excellent positioning and awareness, but Lampard's ability to find space in the tightest of midfields and his subtle movements give him the very high value in response he has. Both players are great at making those late runs into the box at just the right time that we have come to associate with them, and are always pushing up with the attack. I would say that Lampard has got slightly more defensive over past couple of seasons, and has improved his defensive contribution as well.
Technical ability - Again, these two players excel in that they are both very technically sound midfielders. Both have excellent first touches and the ability to play the most difficult passes first time. What is particularly good about them is they have some of the best shooting techniques in regards to striking the ball and getting great connections. There is no difference in their technique levels, but Lampard's shot technique is that bit higher as he has terrific way of hitting the ball from all manner of awkward angles and positions. (Great example would be his second goal against West Brom last season). But you are always garaunteed a fantastic first touch from these two players, which aids them so well particularly in a congested midfield. Both can do high levels of shimmys, faints and dummys and their technical ability adds to their game immensely.
Shooting - One of the best areas of their game, and one which has allowed them both to become incredible goal scoring midfielders, Lampard having recently broke the record for goals in a season from a midfielder. So what makes them so potent. Firstly they have great accuracy. Like I said at the beginning they are two of the best finishers, better in fact than some strikers. Lampard slightly edges it again for shot accuracy, as he can put the ball with great accuracy in corners with ease and is just that little bit better. But Ballack reigns supreme in shot power, and he has one of the hardest shots out there today. His physical presence is represented in his shot, and he can strike a ball immensely hard. But probably the biggest factor in their shooting success is their shot technique which is for me the most important value regarding shooting. They can take the most awkward of chances with the best of connections. They can help the ball on with the deftest of flicks, hit that perfect shot as cleanly as anyone. Lampard particularly has the best shot technique of any midfielder save maybe Juninho, and Ballacks is not far off. Lampard has the scoring, 1-1 scoring, and middle shooting special stars. Ballack the same but without the 1-1 scoring. We can see they are two terrific shooters and are always a source of goals. But Ballack is blessed in that he has terrific heading ability as well, something which the other top midfielders havent seemed to grasp. It makes him an aerial threat as well, something which I think Chelsea could benefit from a lot this season, as they have lacked that aerial presence in midfield.
Athleticism - Neither of the two players are the fastest, although Ballack is slightly faster. Ballack is definitely the more physically built as well and strong like a bull. He also benefits from having a better leap aswell and I think Chelsea may have found a little something that can make their midfield more dominating than before. Neither of them particularly agile, but Lampard a bit more so. Not much to say here I am sure you both no the score here.
Team Work - This is the last thing I want to say. They are both great team players no doubt. But Ballack has that urge to sometimes just go and do stuff himself. He has that great passing we all love, and the movement and connection to other players that makes him so good. But he still has that urge to do his own thing sometimes and it is someting we dont really associate with Lampard. He has that ruthless efficiency that we have come to associate with him, and one of the highest team work ratings of any midfielder out there. He is always thinking in terms of the team, and his passing is made to look easier because he uses his ability as a team player to exploit the areas around his team mates. I think they will work well together at Chelsea in this sense, as sometimes Ballack will give them that little bit of grit and power that we sometimes see from Essien, but the extremely high level of Lampards team play will serve the midfield well when they come up against a stronger midfield and it becomes more about passing and movement.
Ballack video
Lampard Video
And now the stats:
Attack - 83
Defence - 67
Balance - 79
Stamina - 99
Top speed - 74
Acceleration - 75
Response - 90
Agility - 77
Dribble accuracy - 83
Dribble speed - 74
Short pass accuracy - 90
Short pass speed - 88
Long pass accuracy - 87
Long pass speed - 85
Shot accuracy - 87
Shot power - 87
Shot technique - 89
Free kick accuracy - 83
Curling - 83
Header - 73
Jump - 72
Technique - 86
Aggression - 86
Mentality - 88
Team work ability - 96
Consistency - 8
Condition - 8
Weak foot accuracy - 7
Weak foot frequency - 7
*Positioning, Reaction, Playmaking, Passing, 1-1 scoring, Scoring, Middle shooting, Centre, Penalties, 1-touch pass.
Attack - 85
Defence - 60
Balance - 90
Stamina - 87
Top speed - 76
Acceleration - 76
Response - 84
Agility - 75
Dribble accuracy - 84
Dribble speed - 76
Short pass accuracy - 86
Short pass speed - 88
Long pass accuracy - 85
Long pass speed - 85
Shot accuracy - 85
Shot power - 96
Shot technique - 86
Free kick accuracy - 80
Curling - 79
Header - 88
Jump - 84
Technique - 86
Aggression - 82
Mentality - 89
Team work ability - 87
Consistency - 7
Condition - 6
Weak foot accuracy - 7
Weak foot frequency - 7
*Tactical dribble, Reaction, Passing, Scoring, Middle shooting, Centre, Penalties, 1-touch pass.
