For nearly half a decade, football followers have been accustomed to hearing the phrase “Ryan Giggs has rolled back the years”. Giggs, however, has been so regular in taking us all down the memory lane that it hardly comes as a surprise anymore – 38 years young, and the Welshman still has a huge part to play for Manchester United.
Although Giggs might be ‘rolling back the years’ in terms of his influence in United’s play, his own game has been totally revamped from what it was in his heyday. Mind you, this is not the first time Giggs has remodeled his play. He has regularly evolved from being the blazing winger in the early 90s, to the more all-round left sided midfielder – occasionally the second striker – in and around the turn of the millennium, modifying himself into playing in the hole and playing deeper and deeper as mileage in the legs gave way to unparalleled experience and know how.
Giggs’ performance sitting deep in midfield in United’s 5-0 win over Fulham was another fine-tuning of his game as he orchestrated the play from a deeper role in a masterful performance. Manchester United’s most capped player also scored a goal that sustained his remarkable run of scoring in every season since the inception of ‘English Premier League’ in 1992.
Meanwhile in the Chelsea camp – Manchester United’s foremost rivals over the past five years before Manchester City’s recent renaissance – there is discontent of varying proportions. During Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, it was surprising to note that Andre Villas-Boas didn’t ask Frank Lampard to come off the bench, especially since Tottenham’s supremacy in midfield was there for all to see. When Chelsea toppled City at Stamford Bridge recently, it was Lampard’s introduction into the game that tilted the balance in the home side’s favour. Although the fact that City were a man down was obviously critical, however, before Lampard came on Chelsea weren’t able to capitalise on their numerical supremacy.
Even though the “courage” required in beating the keeper in a dead ball situation from 12 yards out is something that this scribe has never managed to comprehend, nonetheless it was Lampard’s telling pass to Sturridge that set up the penalty – and in turn, the winning goal.
Following the City triumph Lampard has been quite unequivocal in displaying his hard feelings with regards to being a non-regular off-late. In fact, if transfer rumours are anything to go by, Jose Mourinho is interested in capitalising on the Englishman’s discontent by offering him a lifeline at Madrid. However, with everything said and done, the question that one has to ask Lampard is that at 33, would playing week-in week-out be a prudent idea for either the club or the player?
Lampard’s fitness in unquestionable and he has been known to be injury proof and has had record breaking consecutive appearances. However, if Giggs had been played by Sir Alex Ferguson every week five seasons or so ago, would that have resulted in a better outcome for United or indeed the man himself? 2006 onwards Sir Alex has been very selective in deploying the Welshman and the trophy-laden years that have followed, coupled with Giggs playing a significant role, have meant that the Scotsman’s approach has been vindicated.
Villas-Boas might be half the age of Sir Alex Ferguson, but he realises just as well that Lampard must be used selectively and that would not only prolong the midfielder’s career, he would continue to be an asset for the London club for years to come. Lampard should appreciate this intent, and acknowledge the fact that the days of him marauding into the opposition’s penalty area and poaching goals thrice a week are well and truly past him. He could also prolong his career by modifying his game and by looking to influence matters from deep in midfield, since he might not have the legs to showcase a box-to-box performance every now and then. Lampard is already acknowledged as a legend at Stamford Bridge, but if he can display adaptability and whole-heartedly contributes his experience to the Chelsea cause as they navigate their transitory phase – something that Giggs did for United during 2005-2007 – he could enjoy the uppermost veneration at Chelsea, like Ryan Giggs does at Manchester United.
