Yebda doubts England duo

Algeria midfielder questions Gerrard and Lampard partnership

Last updated: 20th June 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Yebda doubts England duo

Yebda: Not convinced by England

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Hassan Yebda believes it was clear to see in Algeria's clash with England that Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard cannot play together.

It has been suggested for a number of years that the two players are too similar to forge a successful partnership in the centre of the field.

Gerrard has often been asked to operate down the left to incorporate a more defensive midfielder alongside Lampard in the middle, but this strategy did not work against Algeria.

Neither player shone in a turgid 0-0 draw on Friday night and Yebda recognises that they are both far more effective at club level.

He said: "Everyone knows Lampard is not the same player in Chelsea and with England. I felt that in the match, I agree.

"I don't know, maybe it's because Gerrard and Lampard have the same style, they can't play together.

"They play at a very different level and I don't know why. Ask (Fabio) Capello.

"If they win the third game they can do something though."

USA test

Algeria could now advance to the last 16 by beating USA in their final Group C game and, although they are expecting a tough test, confidence in the camp is high.

"We're going to try our best to win against United States. They have a good team, good players, so it will be very difficult for them and us," said Yebda.

Midfielder Karim Matmour added: "If Algeria plays to its potential we don't need to worry about our opponents.

"If we play our style of football we can beat anyone."

Medhi Lacen, a midfielder who plays for Racing Santander in Spain, admits he has been impressed by what he has seen from USA.

"I've seen their matches here and they look good," he said. "They showed against Slovenia that they're capable of fighting back."