England's Adam Lallana in action during the International friendly match at Wembley. Photo credit should read: David Klein/Sportimage via PA Images

Adam Lallana delighted at being named England Player of the Year

Adam Lallana has been voted England Player of the Year, further underlining his form in the last 12 months.

The award was voted for by members of the England Supporters Club.

The 28-year-old clocked up 39 per cent of vote, with Jamie Vardy second (12%), and rather bizarrely, Wayne Rooney in third (8%).

Lallana scored his first ever England goal in September, against Slovakia, and he often looked their brightest player during a woeful Euro 2016 campaign.

Speaking about the award, the former Southampton man admitted his delight, especially when you look at some of the previous winners.

“This award is a huge honour,” Lallana told TheFA.com.

“The last three winners were Rooney (2015), Rooney (2014) and Steven Gerrard (2012) so that just goes to show what a great achievement this is.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 21, 2017: Liverpool's Adam Lallana in action against Swansea City during the FA Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

“Things have been going well this season for my club so that always helps. When you’re playing well for your club then hopefully you can transmit your form into the national team and help out.

“That’s what has been happening but I don’t want that to be for just one season – I want to continue that for as long as possible.

“Off the back of a disappointing year for England as a whole, I’ll be looking to definitely improve in 2017 and hopefully we can build on how it has started under Gareth Southgate, as there have been plenty of positives.”

It has been a remarkable turnaround in Lallana’s career, having flattered to deceive during his first couple of years at Liverpool.

He has gone up a huge gear since the arrival of Jurgen Klopp in October 2015, scoring and assisting goals with far more regularity and becoming one of the first names on the team-sheet.

Liverpool will need Lallana at his very best for the visit of Chelsea on Tuesday, as the Reds look to get their stuttering season back on track.

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