Joe Cole was asked to make a tough choice between former Chelsea and Liverpool teammates, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.
For as long as they were at their peaks together, Lampard and Gerrard were at the centre of some of the most heated debates in football.
They are widely regarded as two of the best midfielders the Premier League has seen, but choosing between them is no easy task.
Cole was recently asked to compare the two on a number of metrics in a quickfire round, and had his say on who could strike the ball better — a tough choice.
Joe Cole decides between Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard
One of the questions posed to the former Chelsea and Liverpool winger was about ball-striking.
Gerrard’s shooting from range is infamous at Anfield. The FA Cup Final belter against West Ham springs to mind. Jamie Carragher actually compared Cole Palmer to Gerrard.
But Lampard was the most proficient goalscorer in midfield that we have seen in the English top flight. His 41 goals from outside the 18-yard box is the best such tally, besting Gerrard’s 33.
Cole doesn’t beat around the bush when giving his answer. He picks Lampard.
John Terry said Lampard is the best midfielder he’s played with, and Cole clearly holds him in a similar regard.
Lampard vs Gerrard results
Cole was asked to pick between the two in multiple areas, and he approached it fairly.
- Pace: Gerrard
- Left foot: Lampard
- Right foot: Gerrard
- First touch: Gerrard
- Hairline: Gerrard
- Ball-striking: Lampard
- Tekkers: Gerrard
- Leadership: Lampard
- Set-pieces: Gerrard
- Penalties: Lampard
- Silverware: Lampard
Some interesting answers.
Was Cole trying to keep the peace by sharing the praise? Maybe. But with legends like the English pair, you could take either.
READ MORE: Frank Lampard says two Chelsea players were playing while injured in the 2012 Champions League final
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