Lampard to Bow Out After Brazil

[CHOULO19 24,332]

The number eight shirt has become synonymous with Frank Lampard in both white and blue for over a decade. But as he heads into the World Cup this summer, he’ll walk out the other-side a free agent, and a likely a retired international footballer.

The 35-year-old has had 16 offers from other clubs according to reports, with New York City being touted as front runners to capture the legend’s signature. But Lampard has only one thing on his mind for the time being, the World Cup.

 

Speaking in Miami during the national side’s training camp, Lampard said he was happy to be concentrating on being in the England squad.

 

 “I will concentrate on being with England. It was almost a relief to say that. Now I can move forwards with England. It’s probably something I will address more with Chelsea fans some other time.”

 

The midfielder has had a mixed time over the years for the Three Lions during World Cup’s. He goes into his third tournament having picked up a Man of the Match performance in 2006, before later failing to convert his penalty in the quarter final against Portugal. Then of course there was that decision in 2010 against the Germans. Who knows what might have been had we had goal line technology, or common sense for that matter, 4 years ago?

 

 

 

But what can Lampard do this time around?

Roy Hodgson has named him vice-captain and his experience will no doubt be vital in South America. England Group D odds suggest that the Three Lions are 3^rd favourites to top the qualifying table so they’ll need all the help they can get. His presence in the dressing room may provide an influence but whether he’ll play a major part on the pitch is a different story.

Although the 35-year-old, who will turn 36 before the tournament plays out, is unlikely to start, should England have a lead to hold on to in games, you would certainly put trust in Lampard coming off the bench to help see out a result ahead of the likes of the inexperienced Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson and others.

Over the last twelve months or so, the nation has watched the younger guns go head-to-head with the world’s elite and struggled against Germany, Chile and even Ukraine. The only complete performance against one of the big nations came at Wembley last year when England triumphed over World Cup hosts Brazil. Guess who scored the winner?

With 29 goals in 104 caps, Lampard has certainly been a tremendous servant to his country. At Chelsea the midfielder has won everything there is to be won and the only thing missing from his revered trophy cabinet is a World Cup winner’s medal. Could Frank have one last hurrah in Brazil and inspire England to claim a 2^nd, highly unlikely, World Cup?

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[Hutcho 8,443]

Yeah that was fairly expected. 37 is a bit old to make the euro's.