Frank Lampard profile

Frank Lampard has been one of the most improved players in recent years and has now developed into one of, if not the best goalscoring midfielder around.

The 27-year-old will celebrate his 28th birthday on the day England face Sweden in their final Group B game in Germany - and it would be no surprise if he celebrated it with a goal.

"Lampard is the perfect example of a modern player. He has athleticism, strength, and the ability to attack or defend. He scores a lot of goals, has great vision and is very consistent."
Marcello Lippi

Blessed with a great engine and fitness - he is an almost ever-present for Chelsea - Lampard can get stuck in to a midfield battle, but his goal scoring ability has now become his best asset.

As one of the plethora of young talent to come off the conveyor belt at West Ham, Lampard was destined to be a footballer under the guidance of his father and coach Frank Lampard senior at Upton Park, while his uncle Harry Redknapp was in charge of the club.

Lampard made his debut in 1996 but, like many of his young stars, Redknapp sent him out on loan where he spent a spell at Swansea, before returning to become a mainstay of the first team.

With the likes of Joe Cole and Rio Ferdinand, Lampard led The Hammers into European competition in the 1999/2000 season as a crucial member of the squad.

After making his England debut in October 1999 against Belgium, Lampard missed out on Euro 2000 as Kevin Keegan opted not to take him to the tournament.

His continuing form for West Ham impressed Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri, who splashed out £11 million to bring him to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2001.

A solid first season followed but, despite numerous substitute appearances for England, Sven Goran Eriksson opted not to take him to the World Cup in the Far East in 2002.

Lampard's dramatic improvement came in the 2003/04 season, when the arrival of Claude Makelele freed up his more attacking instincts and he was able to push forward in the Chelsea midfield.

Suddenly, Lampard transformed into one of the most dangerous midfielders around, as he developed the habit of arriving in the right place at the right time to score vital goals.

Eriksson took Lampard to Euro 2004 and his three goals in four games proved his worth at international level as well as on the domestic front, although it was not enough to carry England through to glory.

If anything, Lampard improved further under new Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, as he fired in 19 goals as Chelsea landed the title for the first time in 50 years.

A new Premiership record for consecutive appearances was also set by the impressive Lampard, who only missed a game in December 2005 due to a virus after 164 games on the bounce.

His displays saw him come second in both the European and World Player of the Year awards behind Ronaldinho for 2005 - as he truly signalled his presence as one of the best players in the world.

Ranieri's £11 million move now seems a bargain for such a dangerous player, whose fierce and accurate shooting ability is matched by his well-timed runs into the box and slick finishing - making him a constant threat from midfield.

Should he carry on his form into Germany, Lampard could prove to be a pivotal member of Eriksson's side.