Lampard is currently preparing for England's double World Cup header with Kazhakstan in Almaty and Andorra at Wembley next Wednesday.

But he is already excited at the prospect of working under the Italian, especially with him being linked with bringing star players such as Kaka to Stamford Bridge.

Lampard told PA Sport: "Can Ancelotti take Chelsea to the next level? I hope so. I am sure the club hope so. It is a very good and positive appointment.

"I think we all had a great time under Guus Hiddink for six months, but we all knew that was going to come to an end and we all respected that.

"Ancelotti has been a very impressive manager with the titles he has won, the players he has worked with, and particularly with the bond he seems to strike with his players.

"I have been lucky to have that with a lot of my managers, particularly Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink, and everyone I have spoken to about Ancelotti, who has worked closely with him, gives him lots of praise as a man and as a manager.

"Myself and the Chelsea boys here are very excited about the future."

Lampard has confidence in what Ancelotti can bring to the Blues especially after his experiences under fellow Italian managers in Claudio Ranieri and current England boss Fabio Capello.

He said: "All Italian managers I have played under, and there have been a few now, all come from the same kind of stock.

"They are very aware of fitness, of tactics and they have had a big input into our game.

"When I first came to Chelsea, I played under Claudio Ranieri, and he certainly had a big impact on me, on how I lived my life and how I trained and Fabio Capello has been a very positive influence.

"I like their work ethic, I think they work players very hard in training, and they get their teams working together and hopefully that will continue at Chelsea."

Lampard would welcome with open arms the likes of Kaka making the move from Milan to Chelsea, although Real Madrid are also strong contenders to sign the Brazilian.

He said: "The last two years we have been quite close to a lot of things at Chelsea, but not quite winning them. We've got a strong group at Chelsea anyway.

"To see us linked with those names (like Kaka), the quality of player, is brilliant.

"I don't want to go into individuals but the intention seems there for Chelsea especially with the new manager, the fact we are looking at that calibre of player.

"I think our squad is very strong and if we can add one or two of those names then we will look forward to next season and hopefully be challenging for the Premier League, Champions League and everything."

From his own perspective Lampard believes he has just enjoyed his best ever season and hopes to be able to continue into the World Cup in 12 months time.

He said: "Am I in my prime? I'd like to think so. Personally I've feel I've had my best season even though it didn't bring lots of silverware for the team.

"I've been pleased with how I've played. The World Cup is still a year away. I don't want to make any promises of what will happen in a year's time.

"All I want to do is carry on with this form, try and improve it, and take it into the World Cup."

Lampard is also content with having to play in a more withdrawn role with England compared to his surging runs into the box with Chelsea which have seen him top 20 goals again for the season.

He said: "I enjoy the challenge of the switch. Obviously everyone who knows and watches me, knows my preferred role is to be in the box regularly and play as I do at Chelsea.

"But you have to be professional and big enough and intelligent enough to play in different roles that suit the team.

"There are quite a few players, since the England manager has come in, who has slightly altered their roles and the way they play and the main benefit has to be for the team.

"You can see that in the results. I enjoy being part of a winning team."