Lampard: Gerrard's in Zidane class

14 April 2012

Frank Lampard today named Steven Gerrard alongside Zinedine Zidane as one of the best midfielders in the world. The Chelsea star is set to partner Gerrard against Holland in tonight's friendly at Villa Park and could ultimately be playing with his England team-mate at club level too.

The Liverpool captain almost joined Chelsea in a £30million deal last summer only to reject the transfer following a last-minute change of heart. Jose Mourinho's side have been linked with a renewed bid at the end of this season but look certain to face competition from Real Madrid.

It would clearly be a signing welcomed by Lamapard. Asked who he rated as the best midfielder in the world, the 26- year- o ld told theFA.com: "I think I play with one of them, Steven Gerrard. On the form over the last 18 months, he does it week in, week out. I think he's fantastic.

"When you throw it out to a world football, it's Zidane. I wouldn't call him so much a central midfielder in the mould of me or Steve but I think he's the player that really has been my favourite for the last few years. Playing against him you realise the man is a real genius as a footballer."

Lampard will tonight be rewarded for his own emergence as one of Europe's top midfielders when he is presented with the first of what could be three Player of the Year awards.

A full house at Villa Park will look on as Lampard is presented with the England Player of the Year Trophy as voted by the fans on the FA's official website.

One of the supporters who voted in the poll, Sunderland fan Mick Longstaff, will present the trophy before kick-off.

Lampard emerged top of the poll by a considerable margin, taking 40 per cent of the vote with Wayne Rooney (16 per cent) second and Gerrard (9.8 per cent) third.

The trophy is the first of three that Lampard, who wins his 30th senior cap tonight, could pick up by the end of this season.

The midfielder is also a front-runner for the Professional Footballers Association award and the Football Writers' poll, the result of which is announced at the end of the season.

Lampard said: "It was a great year and I am delighted to win the award.

"It's not that long ago that I was in and out of the team and more of a squad member than a team member but I've pushed on a lot this year. It's a great reward and I'm really proud to have won it."

As well as cementing his place in the heart of Eriksson's midfield, Lampard has scored six goals in his last 11 matches for England, including the opener in the 2-1 defeat to France at Euro 2004.

He believes an extended run in the starting line-up has been the key to his outstanding form.

Lampard said: "Confidence comes from within. I broke through into the team properly in the year before the Euros. Before that I was much more of a squad member.

"When we played against South Africa [in May 2003] I came on and as a sub, played well, and then got involved in the next qualifier against Slovakia.

"That was my first qualifier, and the fact I was starting a qualifier gave me a bit of belief. From then on I played quite regularly last season.

"In the Euros I wasn't sure I was going to start and by starting it gave me real confidence in that tournament and from then on I scored goals and felt very comfortable."

Eriksson added his own tribute today, indicating that Lampard will be a fixture in his side for many seasons to come.

The England coach said: "He is always consistent, he never plays badly. If I was a player voting for the best in the year then Frank would certainly be very high on my list.

"I would say he is a very important player these days in the England team and is always improving. He's played nearly all the games for Chelsea over two years.

"He defends well, he's a good tackler, he's good on the ball, passes well and scores goals."

Tonight's match at Villa Park is a 42,500 sell-out.

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