England manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard as the deputy to Steven Gerrard for the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil next month.
The England hero has been the vice captain for the team on a consistent basis, taking on the role of skipper when the captain goes off or is not selected in the starting eleven and he will fulfill that role once again in what could be his last major tournament at international level.
And Hodgson believes Lampard holds a key to England and their chances of progression as they line up against former world champions Italy and Uruguay along with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in a difficult group in the FIFA World Cup 2014.
The England boss said that Lampard has been vice captain for a long time and he has stepped up and done a great job in the absence of Steven Gerrard as well. He added that he always considered the Chelsea man to be a key member of the 23 man squad because of his experience and the kind of play he brings to the team.
Hodgson said that he also brings other qualities in terms of his qualities and character to the team as well.
Lampard has won three Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League and four FA Cups during his time at Chelsea and he is also the club’s record goal scorer with over 200 goals from midfield but is out of contract at the Stamford Bridge club this summer.
Although he has played a much reduced role for Chelsea this season, he was still one of the automatic choices for the big games and more often than not, he has delivered for his team and Hodgson will be hoping for much of the same in the FIFA World Cup 2014.