Mason untou MOUNT-ING PRA
FRANK LAMPARD admits Mason Mount is fast becoming Chelsea’s new untouchable.
Jose Mourinho famously described Lampard – and eight of the Blues’ 2006 Premier League winning line-up – that way during his first spell as Stamford Bridge boss.
And listening to Lampard wax lyrical about the ever-growing importance of sizzling playmaker Mount, it is clear he holds him in just as high regard.
The England midfielder may be just 22 but, rest assured, he is an automatic pick every week right now in a team desperately searching for inspiration.
Which is why his under-fire manager, with just three wins in the last eight games in all competitions, is unlikely to give him the afternoon off today against Championship Luton in the FA Cup.
Yes, Mount probably could do with a breather, having appeared in all but two domestic fixtures this term. Yet the visit of the Hatters is an absolute must-win clash for the Blues, who are eighth in the Premier League and are now finding it tough to stay in th Lampard said: “He’s crucial always a fine balance in this job can rest players who are crucial t
“At the moment Mason is playi a player that stays in the team for
“People talk to me about chan and why. But when they are play no problem keeping them in.
“Of course, at some stage yo moments to rest them because of games that we play.
“But on the flip-side Mason i come. He trains, he rests, he d professionally.
“So if anyone can handle th minutes, it is Mason.”
Earlier this season some punte were questioning the unwav shown to Mount by both Lampar boss Gareth Southgate.
But they have gone quiet lat Chelsea’s poor form, their onestarlet has justified that loyalty w outstanding displays.
Lampard is delighted that the
rather belated – is finally coming the way of Mount, who has scored twice in his last three outings, including the winner at Fulham last weekend.
The former England midfielder, 42, added: “At the moment he’s a player in the team playing with confidence and displaying a work ethic – the stuff that Mason churns out pretty much all the time for Chelsea.
“Now he is getting real recognition for it and I think he’s growing.
“Tough times are sometimes good for young players because they see things around them and see how other players react.”
Whether dodging a cup shock today will do anything to silence the talk that Lampard is a dead-man walking in the Stamford Bridge hot-seat is open to debate.
But whatever unravels, the club’s all-time record goalscorer is refusing to allow that to distract him from the bigger picture.
“When playing well and winning, your identity is clear – and it’s something you want to shout from the rooftops,” said three-time FA Cup winner Lampard.
“When not playing well, people question your identity, especially when you’re a relatively new manager.
“It’s important that I am the one to hold that dear and tell the players that our identity hasn’t changed from when we were winning games.”