Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez insists Frank Lampard can play with Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard in the same midfield.

England have never satisfactorily harnessed the pair but between them they have almost 200 caps and remain key elements of Roy Hodgson's squad.

"They can play together, especially now they have more experience," said Benitez. "When they were younger, they were so good they wanted to be involved in every part of the pitch. Maybe now that's something they realise they can manage in a better way." He added: "They are great players, both are very good technically and both can score goals. They have a lot of good things in common.

"Gerrard is one of the greatest England players we have seen. He was good when we arrived at Liverpool but he got better with the experience of playing massive games in the Champions League. We had maybe the best years of Stevie."