Lampard: England can emulate Chelsea

England midfielder Frank Lampard has urged his international team-mates to learn from Chelsea if they want to be crowned European champions.

Lampard will miss the Euro 2012 tournament through injury but believes the Three Lions’ current situation is very similar to that of Chelsea’s. Despite all the adversity caused by injuries, suspensions and a new manager, the Blues lifted the Champions League trophy by beating favourites Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Now the Chelsea midfielder believes England can go all the way at Euro 2012 despite the odds being stacked against them.

“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,” Lampard told The Sun.

“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.”

England boss Roy Hodgson will be without a host of key players including Lampard, Kyle Walker, Gareth Barry and Gary Cahill, but the former West Ham man believes there are plenty of reasons to be positive.

“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,” Lampard said.

“OK, 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.”