Frank Lampard says the "winning mentality" of Italians Carlo Ancelotti and Fabio Capello has given him high hopes for the coming season.

The Chelsea and England midfielder has welcomed the appointment of Ancelotti, a two-time Champions League winner as AC Milan coach, at Stamford Bridge as the Blues aim to deny Manchester United a fourth Premier League title in a row.

At international level Lampard has been hugely impressed by Capello, who also had great success at club level with Milan as well as Real Madrid before leading England to the brink of qualification for next summer's World Cup.

Lampard told The Sun: "Most importantly (Ancelotti and Capello) have the winning mentality.

"That's why they have won so many trophies in their careers. 'Must win' is the only way for them and they don't accept slacking off in games or training.

"Modern football is a lot about winning the ball back quickly and both managers train us to do that - it's a very Italian trait.

"One of the things we needed in English football was to learn the importance of being a difficult team to beat. That is the foundation stone and you build everything else on top."

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