Frank Lampard has been voted England Player of the Year for 2005, beating Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney.
England fans have been voting via the Football Association website for the last month and Chelsea midfielder Lampard was the clear winner with 29 per cent. Gerrard and Rooney were second and third with 18 per cent and 16 per cent respectively.
England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson described Lampard as "one of the most improved players I have seen in the last few years".
The Swede told www.thefa.com: "I think the fans must have had a very hard time choosing because we are lucky enough to have a number of really outstanding individual players.
"But you can't argue with their choice. Frank has had an excellent football education both from his family and from West Ham and Chelsea.
"You can see that intelligence not only in the way he plays on the pitch but also when you talk to him tactically.
"He is one of the most improved players that I have seen in the last few years. He gets better and better all the time.
"Above everything, though, Frank is a very good professional. He has been brilliant for us in 2005. He is a complete midfielder. Hopefully he will be as brilliant as he can for us in the summer."
