Chelsea’s Mount is hungry to learn – coach

CHELSEA manager Thomas Tuchel praised midfielder Mason Mount’s attitude after the England international scored his first Champions League goal in Wednesday night’s 2-0 win against Portugal’s FC Porto in Seville, Spain.

Mount and Ben Chilwell scored to put Chelsea in the driving seat ahead of the "home" leg of the quarter-final on April 13, which will also be played in Seville due to Covid-19 travel restrictions between Portugal and England.

Since Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge in January, Mount has scored five goals in all competitions – more than any other Chelsea player.

“The finish was clinical from Mason," Tuchel said. "He has the quality to do this and to do it in a quarter-final is a big step for him.

“He has the right attitude towards success. He is open and hungry to learn.”

At 22 years and 87 days, Mount also became Chelsea’s youngest goalscorer in a Champions League knockout game.

“Mason is a key player for us and I am happy he fits into this role at a young age,” Tuchel added.

Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe has repeatedly been criticised for some sub-par performances this season but the France striker has also proved his worth with a number of sublime performances in the Champions League knockout ties.

The 22-year-old bagged a double in Wednesday’s 3-2 win at Bayern Munich in the first leg of their quarter-final clash, after he netted a hat-trick in the first leg of their last-16 tie against Barcelona in February.

“I like this kind of games,” Mbappe said after beating Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer twice, almost eight months after failing to score in the final against the German champions.

“I haven’t always succeeded in these games and maybe in the future I won’t always be successful, but I don’t want to hide. I love being decisive.”

Mbappe has scored six goals in three Champions League knockout games this season.