Lampard wants Brazilian bragging rights

LONDON (AFP) –

England midfielder Frank Lampard is pictured during their football friendly against the Republic of Ireland on May 29, 2013. He admits he would love to inflict more misery on Chelsea’s Brazilian contingent as he prepares to clash with several of his club colleagues in Sunday’s friendly in Rio.

England midfielder Frank Lampard admits he would love to inflict more misery on Chelsea’s Brazilian contingent as he prepares to clash with several of his club colleagues in Sunday’s friendly in Rio.

Lampard has already earned bragging rights over Chelsea trio David Luiz, Ramires and Oscar once this season after the Blues midfielder netted England’s winner in a 2-1 friendly victory over the five-time world champions at Wembley in February.

Now the 34-year-old has set his sights on completing a memorable double when Roy Hodgson’s team face the Brazilians again in another prestige friendly this weekend.

Lampard is in a rich vein of form for England at present and, after scoring in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against the Republic of Ireland at Wembley, he sees no reason why that can’t continue against Brazil.

“I know the Brazilian boys at Chelsea and they weren’t happy coming here to Wembley and losing. They will certainly want to beat us,” Lampard said.

England defender Ashley Cole carries his golden cap ahead of the football friendly against the Republic of Ireland on May 29, 2013. Cole was presented with a golden cap before kick-off against Ireland to mark his milestone achievement.

It’s been good with England this season. I’d definitely take another winner against Brazil, but I won’t get carried away because it’s going to be a very, very tough game.

“If we can go there and get a good result it will be a fantastic thing for the lads and their confidence to take into the qualifiers.”

After a spell in the last 18 months when it looked as though Lampard’s time as a key performer for club and country could be coming to an end, the veteran ends the season back in the ascendency.

Not only has he signed a new one-year contract with Chelsea, but he is also once again a mainstay of the England side after injuries to Jack Wilshere and Steven Gerrard.

Lampard needs just four more caps to emulate Gerrard and Chelsea teammate Ashley Cole, who both reached the 100-cap landmark this season.

“When you get to 34 you understand that things move on and I just want to be a part of it with England. I want to do the best I can and keep scoring goals,” Lampard said.

“You can’t not think about getting to 100. I’m on 96 caps and have been around an awful long time.

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard is pictured during a Premier League match on May 5, 2013. Gerrard reached the 100-cap landmark this season.

“I saw Stevie Gerrard get 100. That was very well deserved as it was for Ash. If I can stay involved and get there myself I will be a very proud man.”

Cole was presented with a golden cap before kick-off against Ireland to mark his milestone achievement.

The left-back’s colourful private life, acrimonious departure from Arsenal and foul-mouthed Twitter tirades at football officials have often rendered him a hate figure in English football, but the Wembley crowd gave him a fairly warm reception.

Lampard was relieved to hear his friend treated fairly and he said: “Ash certainly deserves the accolades he got.

“To get 100 caps, to start every game and play at such a high level for such a long period is tremendous.

“The crowd gave him the right reception. Ash deserved that moment for himself.”

Cole’s moment was slightly overshadowed by England’s sloppy display however and Lampard concedes Hodgson’s men need to work on their finishing after wasting several chances to kill off Ireland.

“It’s difficult when you go behind but I think we created enough chances to have won the game if we had been more clinical,” Lampard said.

“You have to give credit to your opponents. They came out and dug in, but we have to keep trying to improve.

“We are trying to work on our attacking play. We come away from tonight with things we are pleased with and things we need to work on.

“We will take that. Now we are focused on a very big game on Sunday before a well-deserved break. Then we can concentrate on the qualifiers coming up next season.”