Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has said England need more "self belief" should their World Cup ambitions depend on the outcome of a penalty shoot-out in South Africa.
Since the 1990 World Cup, England have been knocked out of five major tournaments on penalties - losing to Portugal (2004 and 2006) and Germany (1990 and 1996) on two occasions.
Argentina accounted for England on spot-kicks at the 1998 World Cup in France.
Lampard believes England can lift the World Cup but says the fear of being eliminated by penalties does haunt him.
"I think it has become a bit of an issue in the mind,” Lampard told The Sun.
"No matter how well we have played in a match, when it comes down to penalties, you think: 'Oh s*** here we go again'.
"Once you've got that mindset, it is hard to get out of it.
"That's why the Germans are so good at it. They get to penalties and they have a confidence, an arrogance I suppose that they are going to win.
"England need more of that self-belief."
Lampard has been one of England's stand-out performers this season, scoring 21 goals for Chelsea, who are in pole position to clinch the Premier League title on the final day of the season.
Since the 1990 World Cup, England have been knocked out of five major tournaments on penalties - losing to Portugal (2004 and 2006) and Germany (1990 and 1996) on two occasions.
Argentina accounted for England on spot-kicks at the 1998 World Cup in France.
Lampard believes England can lift the World Cup but says the fear of being eliminated by penalties does haunt him.
"I think it has become a bit of an issue in the mind,” Lampard told The Sun.
"No matter how well we have played in a match, when it comes down to penalties, you think: 'Oh s*** here we go again'.
"Once you've got that mindset, it is hard to get out of it.
"That's why the Germans are so good at it. They get to penalties and they have a confidence, an arrogance I suppose that they are going to win.
"England need more of that self-belief."
Lampard has been one of England's stand-out performers this season, scoring 21 goals for Chelsea, who are in pole position to clinch the Premier League title on the final day of the season.
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