Frank Lampard

Frank James Lampard, Jr. (born June 20, 1978 in
Romford, London) is an England|English football
(soccer)|football player currently at Chelsea
F.C.|Chelsea and previously with West Ham United
F.C.|West Ham United. He is a regular member of
the England national football team|England
national team.

He has several famous footballing relatives: his
father, Frank Lampard Sr., was also an England
international. His cousin is Jamie Redknapp, who
has recently retired from football, and his uncle
is Harry Redknapp, who is manager of Southampton
F.C.|Southampton. In August 2005 he became the
father of a baby girl named Luna.

Another product of West Ham United F.C.|West Ham
United's The Academy of Football|youth system,
Lampard rose through the ranks at Boleyn
Ground|Upton Park and spent a brief spell on loan
at Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea in 1995. He is a
hardworking player with precise shooting and
passing ability. In the 2000/01 season, Lampard
reacted angrily to the news of a £17 million deal
that took Rio Ferdinand to Leeds United F.C.|Leeds
United.  Lampard and Ferdinand had been close
friends during their time together at West Ham.
Ferdinand's transfer to Leeds, followed by the
departure of his father Frank, who followed Harry
Redknapp out of Upton Park in May 2001, led to
Lampard's exit from the club. In the summer of
2001, he was signed by then-Chelsea manager
Claudio Ranieri, for a fee of £11.5 million.

Lampard improved much during his time at Stamford
Bridge.  His first two seasons were sometimes
bogged down by his massive transfer fees and later
eclipsed by the scintillating form of Gianfranco
Zola, but in his third season there, with the
arrival of Roman Abramovich, he fully blossomed,
establishing himself as a regular of the
multi-million pound Chelsea squad, and a fans'
favourite. An ever-present in Ranieri's squad, he
was the only outfield player to feature in every
league game of the 2003-04 season.

Despite being a midfielder, Lampard has an
impressive scoring ratio since he signed for
Chelsea and a keen eye for goal. Although not a
striker, his intelligent runs and long-range
efforts at the edge of the box often result in
accurate strikes at goals. Lampard also
contributes just as much to the Chelsea side
through his goal assists. He is usually Chelsea's
first choice penalty kick|penalty and set-piece
taker as well. He is also second choice Captain
(football)|captain of the club, behind John Terry.


In the 2004-05 season, Lampard continued his
outstanding form despite the change in coaching
personnel. So impressive was his form during the
UEFA Champions League|Champions League and league
run that former Brazilian captain Carlos Alberto
and Johann Cruyff both referred to him as one of
Europe's best midfielders. He was voted English
Footballer of the Year at the end of the 2004-05
season, after contributing to winning the
Premiership (first time for Chelsea after 50
years) and the League Cup, and reaching the
semi-finals of the Champions League.

Lampard made his full England debut against
Belgium national football team|Belgium in October
1999. Although he never featured in Sven-Göran
Eriksson's squad for the Wc|2002, his form in
2003-04 earned him a well-deserved call-up. He
played for his country at Ec2|2004, scoring three
goals. With Paul Scholes's retirement from
international football, Lampard finally became a
fixture in Eriksson's squad. He was voted England
Player of the Year for 2004 by the fans.

==International==
Frank has won 32 international caps for England
and scored 8 international goals. He was a major
asset to his country in Euro 2004, finishing joint
top scorer with Wayne Rooney.

==Personal==
He is currently engaged to Elen Rives. She has
given birth to their first child on 22 Aug 2005.