Lampard - Rooney is the best

15 August 2009 11:28
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has labelled Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney as the most talented man he has played alongside. The pair are England team-mates and Lampard is well aware of the attributes of Rooney's game. Lampard believes Rooney's 'awareness' is his key strength and he believes that his skill would see the United star earn a place in any team in the world. Lampard said in The Sun: "Wayne is the most talented player I have ever played alongside. "As a midfielder, as soon as I get on the ball I want to play it in behind the other team's midfield or defence. "I need someone to be ahead of that action, already getting into a good position. As you learn to play with Wayne, you realise that his awareness is exceptional. It's his key strength. Incredible "Wayne Rooney is an incredible player. He would get into any club or international side in the world." Meanwhile, Lampard has backed Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, who left AC Milan this summer, to cope with the pressure of meeting the success of former Blues boss Jose Mourinho. He said: "I don't think Carlo Ancelotti will have any issue with stepping out of Mourinho's shadow whatsoever. "Ancelotti has come to us having won the UEFA Champions League twice and the Italian league. "He's worked at the highest level and is respected as being one of the top coaches in the world. "I don't think it's fair to say he has anyone else's reputation to concern himself about. "If we can win the Premier League or the Champions League this year he'll have been a success in his own right and no one will be asking that question."

Source: SKY_Sports