LONDON, August 11 – Frank Lampard is gearing himself up for one of the biggest seasons of his career and is determined to win major silverware for both club and country.
Lampard believes Chelsea can mount a serious challenge for the title again and still dreams of helping his side win the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
Chelsea signalled their intentions by beating Manchester United in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday and have been able to keep their big name players at the club.
With former AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti taking over the managerial helm at Stamford Bridge, the Chelsea midfielder feels his side will not stand a better chance of challenging the big boys once again.
Lampard is also thinking about the World Cup in South Africa next summer and feels the time has come for England to finally deliver and win their first major trophy since 1966.
When asked if this was the biggest year of his career, Lampard said: "I think it will be for every player in the squad. Hopefully I’ve got a very positive season with Chelsea, a lot of things to win back and to win.
"I’ve got a real strong desire to win the league back this year and I think that’s something that flows throughout the team.
"I’ve spoken to John Terry, Ashley Cole and the other players. There was nothing better than to win the league and know that we were the best team in England so I’d love to do that first and foremost.
"I’ve dreamt about the Champions League probably because I’ve sniffed it six times in the last six years. It keeps recurring in your head and you wake up in sweats.
"Then with England it’s about qualifying – it’s all up for grabs this year. In a World Cup year, this was always going to be the big one to try to make an imprint as individuals and as a team.
"You only have to look at how highly regarded the 1966 team are and rightly so having been the only England team to win the World Cup.
"We want to go and win the World Cup as individuals and as a team but there are many great players who haven’t won a World Cup. I grew up watching them. Winning the World Cup would be a great history making achievement."
Lampard knows more than anyone the disappointment of England failing to produce their best form when it comes to a major tournament.
After being beaten on penalties by Portugal in the World Cup quarter-finals in 2006, Lampard admits the players are still deeply hurt by their failure to reach the European Championships last summer.
Lampard added: "It’s the worst feeling in football when you’ve been on a run.
"Even in the Euros when I thought we had a strong momentum to go and win the championships and then you’re out in a second. Nobody forgets that feeling and nobody wants it to happen again."
Despite the disappointment which England have encountered over the last few years, Lampard has stressed the importance of not having a major reshuffle in the squad and feels they will finally deliver when it matters the most in South Africa.
He said: "It’s difficult when you get knocked out and there’s some criticism of managerial changes and stuff. There’s always a lot of talk about change.
"It’s the same with the England cricket team, all of a sudden we’re talking about (Mark) Ramprakash and (Marcus) Trescothick. It’s understandable because people look for another option.
"But I think it’s very important to have continuity and I think that’s one of our strengths. I think we can learn from French teams and these kind of teams.
"It is the same with the Australian cricket team. They come in and at 25/26, produce world class performances.
"You need that continuity – you look at Wayne Rooney and the Michael Owens, then Jack Wilshere will come through next."
