Chelsea return refreshes Lampard

Lampard returns to club action with Chelsea in Sunday's Community Shield

Midfielder Frank Lampard says returning to Chelsea is "like a breath of fresh air" after his disappointing experience with England at the World Cup.

England were woeful in South Africa this summer and were eliminated via a 4-1 loss to Germany in the last 16.

"I have to be honest, the disappointing summer is not affecting the Chelsea side," Lampard affirmed.

"We won the Double last year and that's a nice feeling. There is no niggling mental effect from the World Cup."

Chelsea get their season under way on Sunday when they face Manchester United in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday.

They then begin the defence of their Premier League crown the following Saturday with a home game against newly promoted West Bromwich Albion.

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However, Lampard is likely to return to international duty on the Wednesday between these two games when England take on Hungary in a friendly at Wembley, the scheduling of which has been described as "crazy" by his uncle, Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp.

Lampard admitted that he was "excited" by his return to Chelsea, but also questioned the timing of the international friendly.

"Everyone has spoken about it not being ideal," he added. "That is an obvious statement for the teams because everyone wants to prepare for that first [league] game.

"But there are two arguments. You have to understand that England need to prepare for the [Euro 2012] qualifying games as well.

"The Hungary game has always been there on the calendar and, as a professional playing for your country, you go and play."

England get their qualifying campaign for the 2012 European Championships under way on 3 September with a home game against Bulgaria, before travelling to Switzerland four days later.

Having had the squad with the highest average age in South Africa, national coach Fabio Capello has said he will use the Hungary friendly to look at some of the younger players who he hopes will challenge for places in the side in the future.

There may be no lasting mental scars from the summer, but fitness may be an issue for Lampard and nine of his Chelsea team-mates, who only returned for pre-season training on 26 July.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has said that his World Cup players need at least another two weeks to be back to full fitness.

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