Frank Lampard's Injury a Concern for Chelsea, England

Midfield master Frank Lampard has suffered a torn thigh in training, issuing a big blow to Chelsea and an even bigger one to England.

At the start of a tough month for the Blues and just a week before a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier, Lampard's injury could scarcely have come at a more inopportune time.

Lampard's return date is yet unknown, but current speculation has him out for at least a month. The spells trouble for Chelsea and England fans alike.

Lampard plays a key role in moving the ball up the pitch for the national team, whether via quick passes along the ground or pinpoint lobs through the air. Who else does MacLaren have at his disposal to perform such a task? What other midfielder in England scored as many goals as Lampard did in open play last season? 

Some will say that England can replace Lampard—that Steven Gerrard, assuming he is fit, is all the team needs to get through to the next round. Of course, according to those observers, Gerrard is the entire England squad, and the rightful heir to the captaincy awarded to the fantastic John Terry...but I digress. 

Realistically, Owen Hargreaves could step into the holding midfield role to free up Stevie G, or players like Michael Carrick and Stuart Downing could do their part to keep the ball moving forward.

But when it comes to class and style, Lampard has them beat hands down—the ability to feed balls cross-pitch to wingers like SWP and Joe Cole is one that very few would argue Downing and Carrick to hold.

As for the effect the injury will have on Chelsea, that is yet to be seen. Lampard is of course irreplaceable, for many of the same reasons listed above. However, Chelsea's system is structured to include two players at each position—Essien is expected to slot in for Lampard, and will undoubtedly do well moving the ball forward to Drogba, Shevchenko, or Pizarro.

September promises five difficult matches for Chelsea, including away to Man U and home against Blackburn and Fulham. No matter who slots in for Lamps, it's not going to be an easy ride—from the League perspective or the International one.