Last season I felt a little sorry for Siggy. A slow start, in a team that started sluggishly, missed chances and a drop in confidence. Then shifted wide to facilitate The Gareth Bale Show. Despite this, he popped up with a few vital goals and performances for us towards the latter part of the season.
I've felt for some time there is a potential Lampard in there waiting for us. That player who can break beyond the striker, and score goals.
Although not the most gifted player technically, Lampard carved himself out a niche as this type of player through sheer hard work and determination, thriving not wilting when Chelsea signed big post-Abramovic. Like a fine wine he has improved with age.
I see a lot of the younger Lampard in Siggy, and the fact he had a good eye for goal pre-Spurs would suggest its in there. Frank never won the hearts of West Ham fans, and still took a few years at Chelsea before he truly blossomed.
Here are their comparitive records from age 19. Games (goals).
Lampard..................Siggy
31 (5)......................20 (5)
38 (5)......................38 (17)
34 (7)......................33 (11)
30 (7)......................25 (7)
37 (5)......................33 (3)
All of Lampard's were in the Prem, but you can see he was never prolific. In fact his next season garnered just 6 goals, and it wasn't until the one after he managed 10.
Siggy's first two seasons were lower league. Two loans for the first, and Championship for his most prolific 17. The last 3 (barring 2 goals) came in the PL or Bundesliga. This actually leaves them with pretty similar records.
I definitely think he has it in him, not to follow Lampard exactly because he has had a fantastic career, but to follow a similar career path. He has the build, the height, the temperament and most importantly the finish is in there. I just think he needs the right conditions to blossom.
Here's to Siggy - I hope Eriksen brings the best out in him
Could Siggy be our Lampard?
posted on 4/9/13
http://youtu.be/KqsfJ3oYxs8
Like this one?
posted on 4/9/13
From the comments made by AVB when we signed him, it looked more like Paulinho would be the one he was looking to take that Lampard style role
posted on 4/9/13
posted on 5/9/13
No chance! Siggy is a good player playing in a team with better players. He is not top 4 team material.
Going forward, players like Holtby and Eriksen will be our play makers.
posted on 5/9/13
He scored goals for Hoffenheim, Swansea and Readung though Hugo. Playing with better players hasn't turned him in to a goal scorer, in fact he has scored less.
Who said anything about being a playmaker anyway? Lampard was never that in his early days
posted on 5/9/13
Lampard has been pretty much one of the best complete midfielders in the Premier League IMO. Siggy is looking nowhere near in getting to that standard. He's a decent squad player and I wouldn't want us to sell him, but he's far down my pecking order.
posted on 5/9/13
Being English counts for a lot.. Lampard almost certainly wouldn't have got the games, or the goals he had, had he not been at Chelsea when Roman took over. Siggy is at risk of our other imports surpassing him..
Lloris is our Cech though - top class keeper that will ensure we take home more points than we deserve at times.
posted on 15/9/13
Obviously not in the same position yesterday, but showing promising signs. Great touch and finish for his first, good run for his second.
I hope Siggy makes people eat their words this season
posted on 16/9/13
I cant believe how many posters have written Siggy off on this article?
posted on 24/7/14