'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Departure of Frank Lampard from Chelsea FC (CFC) to New York City FC was meant to have sealed his illustrious career in English Premier League (EPL). However, his surprising loan move to CFC’s title contenders Manchester City FC (MCFC) might have created a chance for him to become foe to once friend and title contender Chelsea.
The symptoms are already quite visible. His goal against Leicester City has made him level Thierry Henry’s record as all time EPL’s 4th top goal scorer. For a midfielder such an accomplishment is quite a deal.
| Player | Premier League Goals |
|---|---|
| Alan Shearer | 260 |
| Andrew Cole | 187 |
| Wayne Rooney* | 179 |
| Thierry Henry | 175 |
| Frank Lampard* | 175 |
The first 16 games of EPL gives a hint that the title race might be a two horse race between Chelsea and Manchester City, but Manchester United are also favorites to compete and their current form (6 game winning streak) and lack of Champions League games could help them to make it a three horse race.
So far Chelsea has had a very successful season by the following things happening to them:
Summer signings Cesc Fàbregas (14 assists and 4 goals), Didier Drogba (6 goals and 2 assists), Diego Costa (12 goals), Filipe Luís, Loïc Rémy (3 goals and 1 assist) have all contributed well for the team.
José Mourinho found the balance to retain and utilize both Petr ?ech and Thibaut Courtois two of the best goal keepers in the world.
Chelsea (7 players started all 14 league games) has the highest consistency in squad selections. The team gelled well so soon and has so far been defeated only once in 24 games overall.
No major injury have happened to the squad members so far. At the same time, their title rival Manchester City are trying their best to catch up. With limelight fully on Sergio Agüero, the silent guardian who is helping the side in this pursuit against his former club is often not given the deserved mention. So, how has Frank Lampard helped MCFC in their title pursuit?
Lampard the unexpected Manchester City talisman
9 wins and 4 draws! Citizens haven’t lost a game in which Frank Lampard played. He hasn’t been part of City’s playing team in the 6 games they lost overall this season.
Lampard is the most effective Manchester City player having the highest goal contribution (goals plus assists) per minutes played. Frank’s versatility in midfield might help City a lot in the absence Yaya Touré for the African Cup of Nations 2015 (if his loan move gets extended).
In specific to the competition against Chelsea, he has scored the goal to draw the fixture against them. That is a 3-point save in points difference. His lone goal against Leicester City helped them earn 2 points than what they would have received. That is a 2-point he earned for City summing up to 5-points advantage over Chelsea. 5 points is a huge impact when it comes to close competition for the title. If not for him, the points difference between Chelsea and City might have been 8 and not 3.
He might turn out to be the only thing/person which/who hasn’t/haven’t worked out for Chelsea this season and it might cost the Blues Premier League title by gifting title to Manchester City who have grasped the opportunity to sign him on loan.?
This article has been contributed by a member of the SK Featured Bloggers Club. It was originally published on the 'Stat Screamer' blog here.
