Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard regards next season as the most important of his career.

A source close to Lampard told the Daily Express: "Frank believes he has had a good season personally, but the next one will be the most crucial he has faced.

"It is a World Cup year, and he is utterly determined to make an impact in South Africa next summer.

"He had a poor time in Germany in 2006, although he feels he was perhaps unfairly singled out, and he is desperate to make up for that next time round.

"Frank knows that South Africa might well be his last big chance to showcase his talents on the global stage. He knows time is not on his side. But he feels he is now playing as well as ever, so he wants to make the most of that."