Then vs Now

This is a comparison thread. A bit unfair considering the player's positions but just a thought.

Few years ago, we had a trio of prime Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Michael Essien, the latter who were captains of their country, in our midfield.

Now it's Oscar, Hazard and Mata who are getting better and better.

Who would you choose?

And don't give me it's too early blah blah. Imagine both options at their prime

Id take OscHazMata partnership. Younger, modern and more deadly upfront.

Would take Lampard, Ballack, and Essien. More complete players, excellent in attack and defense.

Unfortunate we had average players on the wings in those days. Like Anelka, Kalou, Malouda, Zhirkov,etc.

What i would give to see this:

Hazard Mata
Lampard Essien Ballack

Super Frankie Lampard bursting forward for the match winner from 25 yards!

The Bison easily keeping anyone who comes his way in his pocket!

Ballack with his technique, power and aggression!

God I miss those days!

Would have to go with Lampard, Ballack, Essien.

They were VERY physical, which meant we couldn't be bullied by ANY team. In fact, we were the ones doing the bullying in the middle of the park. It also meant we could rely on their defensive abilities when we needed it.

They were also very good going forward, all three players. Essien in his prime>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Yaya atm(not even close). They didn't have the kind of brilliant vision and skill on the ball that MAZACAR have but Lamps and Ballack were good passers of the ball. It would take some trophies and some clean sheets for MAZACAR to match them

Soul wrote:

Drogba
Hazard Mata
Lampard Essien Ballack
Cole Terry Carvalho Ivanovic

this would have ruled haha, the old guards were better equipped at stopping opposition most def!

Essien, Carvalho and Drogba where the best in the world in the positions IMO

Soul wrote:

Drogba
Hazard Mata
Lampard Essien Ballack
Cole Terry Carvalho Ivanovic

Wow. Just wow.

I would certainly take the power we had with better wingers.

I've thought about this a few times myself in the last few months. While watching the Holy Trinity work their magic is just breathtaking, I'd be lying if I said I don't miss the old efficient, physical Chelsea, where NO team could have their way with us, and when you were scored on once, you knew the game was as good as over. That system worked brilliantly for years. Now, perhaps the fact that we've not really seen this new system founded on Hazard, Mata and Oscar perfected yet - with a competent forward providing an actual goalscoring threat from the creative magic of OscHazMat, an effective central midfield that plays the right passes and moves the ball on quickly as well as successfully protects the back 4, and a defense that isn't a total trainwreck - plays a part in my decision, but I'll have to just give the edge to the old Chelsea, until the new one is in full working order and can thus be judged better.

I'm still a huge fan for the 4-3-3 but given our squad its not the best option I guess

Shed's spot on about us bullying opponents and 1-0 up meant victory for sure. I'd also add the sheer fighting power whenever we trailed. Even in Ballack & Essien's decline they showed their class with an incompetent Scolari

A lethal striker, Mikel to become consistent and a reliable CB partnership could arguably become the strongest ever side

return of the christmas tree

Its two very different styles of play and I like both... but if im to choose Ill choose the older gen. But tbh if our team sticks together for another 3-4 years I'm pretty sure we will see the best Chelsea team ever in the history.

Kick wrote:

Soul wrote:

Drogba
Hazard Mata
Lampard Essien Ballack
Cole Terry Carvalho Ivanovic

Wow. Just wow.

I would certainly take the power we had with better wingers.

Oscar and Ramires as sub

frank lampard is underrated imo. I'd take him over gerrard any day of the week