Frank Lampard hails Mason Mount and says he’s ‘one thing I can be happy about’ from his time as Chelsea manager as Blues legend says he ‘never understood the critics’ and backs the midfielder to become a ‘fantastic player’
Frank Lampard insists the emergence of Mason Mount under his stewardship at Chelsea is something he will always be happy about.
Having joined him on loan from the Blues at Derby County for the 2018-19 season, the 22-year-old was given his bow with the Premier League side under Lampard once he had joined him ahead of the following campaign.
The England star has since gone on to become a central cog in the Blues machine, and Lampard, speaking for the first time since being sacked as their manager, insists there was always something special about the midfielder.
Frank Lampard insists the emergence of Mason Mount will always be one positive he will take from his time as Chelsea boss
Mount first player under Lampard when he joined Championship side Derby County on loan
‘I’m delighted. I never understood the critics. He’s evolving all the time. His performances were absolutely top draw,’ he said.
‘He’d never played in an English league, the Championship is a tough league, but when he stepped through the door, I could see something special in him… his quality, his work ethic. I really trusted him.
‘At Chelsea, there were established players in those positions. The one thing I can be happy about is being part of that story for Mason from an early age. You’re seeing him mature quite quickly.
Mount is a key figure of Chelsea’s side and Lampard says he has never understood his critics
‘For me firstly, it was attitude and mentality. There was something about him when he played, it was an awareness of what was around him. I was sure it would be a difficult ride for him in the Championship.
‘He’s going to carry on developing and he’s going to be a fantastic player. A nice feeling for me when I left Chelsea, I made Mason captain. It wasn’t a gesture, I didn’t know I was leaving at that point.
‘I wanted to show Mason that his authority and standing within the group had risen. When you have players who have that care, it doesn’t matter who the manager is. As you can see, I like him a lot.’