Frank Lampard believes he can forge a successful partnership with new captain Steven Gerrard in the heart of England's midfield.
Gerrard has been handed the armband for the World Cup after Rio Ferdinand was ruled out with a knee problem on Thursday.
Lampard, who is now the team's vice-captain, is fully behind the decision and has no doubts that Gerrard will thrive on the added responsibility as he does at club level.
"I think he'll do the job he does at Liverpool, which has been fantastic for years," Lampard said on Sky Sports News.
"The England captaincy is a huge thing for anyone who holds it and I think Steven has got that quiet way about him off the pitch that everyone respects.
"He plays with a lot of inspiration and he is a player to look up to, and I think that is what a captain is all about."
Lampard and Gerrard could be asked to line up together in central midfield against USA next Saturday, with Gareth Barry doubtful due to an ankle problem.
Fabio Capello has steered clear of such a tactic after Lampard and Gerrard found it difficult to find their best form for England under previous managers.
But Lampard was encouraged by the way he linked up with Gerrard in the second half against Japan and insists it is a myth that the partnership could not work.
"I do get fed up, it has gone quiet for a while. There has been a nice little two-year break, but it has come back now," he said.
"It is the manager's decision and we have got faith in him.
"I believe we can play together because intelligent players who play as we do for our clubs should be able to play together.
"It is very important for us to work on it. The manager might have different ideas for different games and we have to adapt to that.
"We try to be positive and inject more energy into the team like we did against Japan."
England are expected to progress to the last 16 as Group C winners but USA are likely to provide their stiffest test in their opening game.
Lampard is wary of the threat they will present and does not feel it would be a disaster if England fail to get off to a winning start.
"It is very important. It is not all about winning that first game but if we do win it puts us in a very strong position in the group," he said.
"I have seen many games in tournaments before where that first game does not go the way you expect it to.
"America will be determined to beat us because of the rivalry, so we don't have to make it the be all and end all.
"We don't have to think about the result, just prepare well for the game."
Gerrard has been handed the armband for the World Cup after Rio Ferdinand was ruled out with a knee problem on Thursday.
Lampard, who is now the team's vice-captain, is fully behind the decision and has no doubts that Gerrard will thrive on the added responsibility as he does at club level.
"I think he'll do the job he does at Liverpool, which has been fantastic for years," Lampard said on Sky Sports News.
"The England captaincy is a huge thing for anyone who holds it and I think Steven has got that quiet way about him off the pitch that everyone respects.
"He plays with a lot of inspiration and he is a player to look up to, and I think that is what a captain is all about."
Lampard and Gerrard could be asked to line up together in central midfield against USA next Saturday, with Gareth Barry doubtful due to an ankle problem.
Fabio Capello has steered clear of such a tactic after Lampard and Gerrard found it difficult to find their best form for England under previous managers.
But Lampard was encouraged by the way he linked up with Gerrard in the second half against Japan and insists it is a myth that the partnership could not work.
"I do get fed up, it has gone quiet for a while. There has been a nice little two-year break, but it has come back now," he said.
"It is the manager's decision and we have got faith in him.
"I believe we can play together because intelligent players who play as we do for our clubs should be able to play together.
"It is very important for us to work on it. The manager might have different ideas for different games and we have to adapt to that.
"We try to be positive and inject more energy into the team like we did against Japan."
England are expected to progress to the last 16 as Group C winners but USA are likely to provide their stiffest test in their opening game.
Lampard is wary of the threat they will present and does not feel it would be a disaster if England fail to get off to a winning start.
"It is very important. It is not all about winning that first game but if we do win it puts us in a very strong position in the group," he said.
"I have seen many games in tournaments before where that first game does not go the way you expect it to.
"America will be determined to beat us because of the rivalry, so we don't have to make it the be all and end all.
"We don't have to think about the result, just prepare well for the game."
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