The art of timing
By Chris Hatherall. Friday, 14 March 2008.
Frank Lampard is already one of England’s most celebrated players but right now the Chelsea midfielder believes he is producing the best form of his career - his timing couldn’t be better.
Lampard, who has 60 caps and 14 goals for his country, scored four times in a match against Derby in midweek, just as Fabio Capello was mulling over the options for his next England squad.
The Three Lions Manager is expected to name his squad next week for a friendly match against France in Paris on 26 March and Lampard has certainly made an eloquent case for himself.
The Blues hero has hit 17 goals already this campaign, despite missing a large chunk of the season through injury and missing out on Capello’s first game against Switzerland at Wembley.
It’s not surprising, then, that the midfielder is desperate to prove a point as he heads for another Premier League fixture at Sunderland this weekend.
"I'm very determined to be part of the new England," he insisted when attending a sponsoredbyyou.com school visit to Hollyfield School in Surbiton, Surrey, organised by England Team Sponsors Nationwide Building Society this week.
"When a new manager comes in you want to show what you can do and it’s been frustrating to be injured at the start.
"But now I'm fit, very happy with the way I'm playing, and I want to be part of the team and help the team.
"Things are going well for me on the pitch this season and to be honest I think it's probably been some of the best form of my career.
"Unfortunately it's been broken up by injuries, which is frustrating but my goals have been going in regularly when I've played and my performances have been good.
"I've missed games but hopefully I'll be fresh and hungry for the last part of the season."
Lampard, of course, is desperate to pull on the famous white shirt again after the way England missed out on a place in the Euro 2008 Final, especially as the arrival of Capello has heralded in a new era.
The lads at Chelsea have told me all about the first game and I saw some good signs against Switzerland," he said.
"Behind the scenes people have made a lot about the new discipline that's come in but it's nothing new to the players, we were ready for that. We'll enjoy getting ourselves right for every game and following the manager's way.
"It’s a big game against France. It’s a chance for us to show under a new regime we have a new start. It’s a great team to play against and these are the kinds of friendlies we all enjoy as England players.
"You really do test yourself and it’s exciting to see how we can react and how we can pick ourselves up from the big disappointment of not qualifying. Now we are looking to the future, though."
