Lampard vs. Gerrard: Former England star weighs in on better ball-striking debate

Joe Cole weighs in on Lampard vs. Gerrard ball-striking debate Former England international Joe Cole has offered his verdict on the long-standing debate over who was the superior ball-striker: his former Chelsea teammate Frank Lampard or his Liverpool colleague Steven Gerrard. The Lampard versus Gerrard argument dominated English football for years, with fans and pundits endlessly comparing the two midfield icons. Both are celebrated as two of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history, making any definitive choice between them a difficult one. What Cole said During a recent quickfire Q&A session, Cole was tasked with comparing the two legends across several attributes. When the topic of ball-striking arose, he faced a particularly tough decision. Pace: GerrardLeft foot: LampardRight foot: GerrardFirst touch: GerrardHairline: GerrardBall-striking: LampardTekkers: GerrardLeadership: LampardSet-pieces: GerrardPenalties: LampardSilverware: Lampard Gerrard is renowned for his spectacular long-range goals, with his unforgettable strike in the 2006 FA Cup Final against West Ham being a prime example. However, Lampard's goalscoring record from midfield is unparalleled in the Premier League era. He holds the record for the most goals from outside the penalty area with 41, surpassing Gerrard's impressive tally of 33. Without hesitation, Cole named Lampard as the better striker of the ball. His opinion aligns with that of another Chelsea legend, John Terry, who has previously stated that Lampard was the best midfielder he ever played alongside. Cole also compared the two across other categories, distributing the accolades evenly in what appeared to be a fair assessment. While some might suggest he was trying to remain diplomatic, the legendary status of both players means a strong case can be made for either in any debate.