• Euro 2012

Lampard: England can do a Chelsea

ESPN staff
June 10, 2012
Frank Lampard was ruled out of Euro 2012 by injury © Getty Images
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Frank Lampard believes England can replicate Chelsea's success this season by winning Euro 2012.

England get their European Championship campaign underway on Monday as they tackle France in Group D, although expectation levels are not as high as in past campaigns.

Ongoing failure on the international tournament stage combined with a spate of injuries to key personnel have fuelled doubts over whether the Three Lions will even progress to the knockout phase.

But Lampard, who was ruled out of Poland and Ukraine with a thigh injury, is optimistic Roy Hodgson's men could spring a surprise - just as Chelsea did in lifting the FA Cup and Champions League trophies.

Lampard told the Sun: "England can do what Chelsea have done. There are a lot of similarities, after all - new manager and key players missing through injury and suspension.

"At Chelsea we found all the adversity brought us even closer together. Yes, we had some luck along the way too. But the mental strength we showed and our refusal to accept defeat helped us overcome Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

"I'm sure England can show the same mentality and attitude. They will definitely need more of the ball than we got against Barcelona. You can't play like that every game and expect to get away with it.

"But Barca are an exceptional team and dominate everybody. The good news for England is there isn't a dominant team at the Euros, not even Spain this time around. So it's very open.

"Okay, England are not anything like favourites. But neither were Chelsea, so I'm feeling pretty positive. The first game against France is crucial and I'll be cheering England on all the way."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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