Hodgson wants Lampard close to home

Roy Hodgson, left, hopes Frank Lampard, right, can continue his football within Europe
7 February 2013

Roy Hodgson has urged Frank Lampard to keep playing his football in Europe after the Chelsea midfielder scored the winner which saw England defeat Brazil in a thrilling friendly at Wembley.

Lampard is out of contract with Chelsea at the end of the season and has been linked with a possible move to America. But Hodgson believes 94-cap Lampard can be the next England player to top 100 and wants him to continue inspiring his country right through to the World Cup in Rio in 2014.

Hodgson said: "He was excellent. I think he can (reach 100). I hope we'll keep Frank in England. It's not for me to discuss his future with his current club, that's for him and his club. I know he'll have a lot of offers if Chelsea do decide they're prepared to let him go."

The England boss added: "I'm rather hoping we'll still see him, if not in England then Europe. If he goes further afield and follows David (Beckham to the MLS), it complicates matters but it doesn't mean your career is over with England. But the further afield you go, the more problematic it gets for the media and the England manager to follow you."

Lampard, 34, came off the bench as a second-half substitute for Tom Cleverley after Wayne Rooney had given England a first-half lead and proved a valuable old head among a myriad of youngsters.

Goalkeeper Joe Hart also saved a first-half penalty from Ronaldinho while Brazil striker Fred hit an equaliser shortly after the interval to put England under severe pressure. But it was Arsenal's 21-year-old Jack Wilshere who stole the headlines after a man-of-the-match performance on his seventh appearance for his country which oozed style.

Hodgson said: "I hope that gives them belief. We had quite a young team out there, with players 22 or younger. The man of the match (Wilshere) was 21. Theo Walcott is 22 and was a contender. It was a blend of youth and experience.

"There were also young players in Cleverley, (Danny) Welbeck, (Chris) Smalling. So it's nice they're blending with the experienced ones and seeing they're good enough to play in this team and win matches."

Brazil manager Luis Felipe Scolari shrugged off the first defeat of his second stint in charge. He said: "I'm not disappointed, we played a strong England team in good physical form. We had seven, eight or nine players who have only just started with their preparations."

Scolari, however, was confident the outcome would be different when the two teams play again in the summer in Brazil. "All the England team were very strong and very organised," said Scolari. "I wasn't surprised, England always plays like that. Let's see what they will play like on June 2 in the Maracana. We aren't in the best physical condition yet."

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