27 February 2006
Frank Lampard press conference

Frank Lampard talks to the press at the launch of England's new away kit ahead of the Uruguay friendly.

Frank Lampard believes England’s amazing team spirit and devotion to Head Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson can help win the World Cup.

Lampard says the Three Lions squad has grown in maturity and confidence over the last few years and is ready to blossom just in time for Germany 2006.

The tournament will be Sven’s last in charge of the side and with his players enjoying such a close bond, the omens are looking good.
Lampard said: "As a squad we’ve become more at ease with each other and we trust each other. You trust the individuals playing alongside you and that can only be good.

"If you ask any of the players at the moment ‘can we win the World Cup’ they’ll say ‘well, we’ve got a good chance because I’ve got a lot of confidence in my teammates’. That’s the way it is."

Lampard’s response came after it was suggested to him that the current England squad were so close and so motivated that they barely needed a manager in Germany this summer.

"You’re right, we have grown as a squad," said Lampard. "But you always need managing, particularly going into a big tournament.

"And with high pressure games in a World Cup you need to have a big manager whatever team you have.

"I would say the manager has to do his job and the players have to do theirs. And if we do that then I think we’ve got every chance of doing well in Germany.

"Hopefully we’ll win and Sven-Goran Eriksson will be the man who won us the World Cup."