2010 World Cup Player Profile: Frank Lampard, England’s Midfield Maestro

Lampard is a giver, notching up 14 assists this season. The man loves to share, and unlike his England compatriot Steven Gerrard, he only really likes to share with his own team.

Although nicknamed “Fat Frank,” when Lamps lifts his shirt, you’ll look down at your jersey pulling tight across your beer belly and wonder if you’ll need to be removed from the bar via crane.

As John Terry hogged the English spotlight this year with his immature antics and his love affair with the captain’s armband, Frank Lampard stepped back and applied himself to the task of scoring goals. Chelsea’s vice-captain was once embroiled in his own sex scandal, involving himself, Rio Ferdinand, Kieran Dyer and, unfortunately, a video camera. But Lampard has grown up since 2000, exercising his reportedly high IQ both on and off the field.

Frank originally got his start at West Ham, where his father, a former Hammer, was the assistant manager under Harry Redknapp, Lampard’s uncle. When the brothers-in-law were sacked, Frank Jr. set out to Chelsea to prove that he wasn’t just on the field due to his lineage.

Lampard, like a bottle-aged beer, seems only to be improving with time. He increased his goal total from last season, notching 27 goals in all competitions as compared to last year’s tally of 20. Although Lampard has had 50 appearances in Chelsea blue this season, the refs never pulled yellow or red, showing further evidence of his increased maturity.

These days, Frank would rather attract attention through gorgeously chipped shots from outside the box, or a perfectly placed penalty.

Frank joined Chelsea in 2001 and has been the club’s most consistent player throughout the past nine seasons. While other’s might argue for Drogba’s flash or Terry’s defense, it’s Lampard’s role through the midfield that has most helped Chelsea win three league titles, two FA Cups and two league cups in the 2000s.

Lampard has been honored for his club performance with plenty of shiny medals and ribbons: He is a four-time Premier League Player of the Month, three-time Chelsea Player of the Year, and two-time Premier League Player of the Season. He’s been nominated for the Balloon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year, and included on the PFA Premier League Team of the Year three times.

Even when Lampard wasn’t directly scoring one of Chelsea’s 100+ goals this past season, he was nearly always part of the build-up. The man has a beautiful touch and the ability to flick on a pass so seamlessly that one barely notices that he’s had a part in the goal.

Lamps earned his U-21 debut at the age of 19 when then-manager Peter Taylor gave him a spot on the field against Greece. He earned his first cap in a friendly against Belgium in 1999, but was denied a place on the 2002 World Cup squad. In 2006, however, Lampard played every minute of every World Cup match for England. Unfortunately, in true English style, the quarter-final against Portugal went to penalties, and Frank was one of the three who missed the mark.

Prior to the game, he had researched Ricardo’s dives, and thought himself prepared to put one past the keeper. He admits to being depressed after the match, believing he let his team and his country down. Yet any fans basing their assessment of Lampard on the previous World Cup should probably reconsider. Although he didn’t manage to get one in the net in Germany, this time around Frank is looking much sharper in front of goal.

In addition to the 27 goals he netted in club competition, he scored three goals in six appearances at the international level, including two in the game against Croatia, which sealed England’s trip to South Africa.

England fans have a history of turning on their players, and after 2006, Frank found himself the scapegoat. Considering his proficiency with goals, the supporters had wanted more. This year, expectations will be even higher, but it is unlikely Frank will feel their wrath.

Lampard will be the center around which England revolves. As an attacking midfielder, he’s able to read both the defenders and the positions of his teammates. He’s a creative player, always finding ways to get himself into the box, and once he’s in the area, his awareness and intelligence make him a threat. Nearly every shot off Lamps’ right foot will find its way into the net.

Oh, and don’t forget that he’ll be the one taking England’s penalties. He’ll likely have reviewed video of the keeper and be prepared to convert in true Lampard fashion, hopefully putting an end to England’s penalty woes.

And if you’re looking for aesthetic pleasure while watching England matches, be sure to keep your eye on Fat Frank. Especially when he rips off his shirt in celebration (sorry, but I just couldn’t get through an entire article without mentioning how easy Lampard is on the eyes).

While Kirsten Schlewitz’s wandering football eye often finds focus in the midfield at Stamford Bridge, the Aston Villa-follower spends much of her football-loving existence as a Villan, helping to keep SBNation up on the mighty Midlanders at 7500 to Holte.