IMHO, Lampard is a very effective midfielder and will usually
delivers what the manager ask him to do, hardly disappoint you if
you have good players backing him up like what is happening in
Chelsea.. with Essien and Makelele doing most of the defending work
he is able to push up field without worrying and when he drops back
to help in defending.. being the so call third "DM" when he falls
back, it'll looked as if his is good in defending
Ballack IMO is probably better then Lampard, his link up play, his
attacking, his defences spliting passes, his late run into the
box..etc will probably put Lampard to shame but the problem is he
is not doing it in Chelsea now, however all along he is one of
those talented players that will do wonder this min but fade away
almost instantly at some point in time, sometime even within the
game itself, but between him and Lampard, Lampard as what i've
mentioned above, is at max an effective player whom deliver what
was told when things are laid nicely for him but hardly gives more
and will usually not surprise you kinda player whereas Ballack is
considered as a gifted player and will at time gives you something
so spectacular that you'll be leave breathless..
Barcelona has too many creative players and would probably needs
players who are effective and will dig in and rough it out for the
team, however without the other backup for Lampard, i seriously dun
think he'll be as effective as he is in Chelsea...
Just in my humble opinion.. 
