CLEAN- CUT MASON DESERVES CREDIT
HITCHING A RIDE: Mount gets a lift to training yesterday
FRANK LAMPARD insists Mason Mount does not deserve his “teacher’s pet” reputation and gets no special treatment at Chelsea.
The Blues boss believes the midfielder’s “clean- cut” image and hard- working performances mean he is not seen as very glamorous.
But Lampard is unconcerned and praised the England man for his stellar attitude.
“He doesn’t do too many treble stepovers and flicks over the back of his head – as he shouldn’t do,” said Lampard.
“He makes really efficient, clean, sharp passes. He presses as well as any midfield player that I’ve worked with or played alongside.
“There are a hundred things within his game that impress managers he works for. He’s very easy and casual because he hasn’t got an Instagram reel of those flicks and it’s a different type of football, which makes it easy for people to bracket him off. I don’t.
“With Mason, I think there’s something about him, he looks clean- cut. I think he’s doing one advert at the moment where he takes his top off and that’s about as edgy as he gets.
“When I say that, I don’t want to add fuel to the fire of him being my son because I’ve just been so positive about him.
“Because I know Mason has a lot to improve on but that’s what takes you on to his attitude and his desire to improve.
“He can score more goals, he can make more assists, but he’s a quality, quality football player who can only get better. That’s how I feel about him. But make no mistake, Mason Mount or any player in this squad will not be getting any favouritism from me.”
Mount, 21, was singled out by England supporters because Gareth Southgate chose him ahead of red- hot Jack Grealish last week.
But having Lampard and Southgate championing his cause has clearly boosted his confidence levels.
“It means a lot to me to have two managers who trust me and are willing to put me in big games,” said Mount.
“I am just trying to evolve my game to be quick, to know what I have got to do when the ball comes to me and I think that’s definitely something I have learned over the last couple of years.”
Chelsea go to French side Rennes tonight in the Champions League with a remarkable record of conceding just one goal in their last seven games.
That run has helped propel them into being title contenders in the Premier League and, if results go their way, they could qualify for the Champions League knockout stage after their teatime clash in France.
Lampard added: “I think what has gone up in a big way is the confidence of the team in the defensive nature and concentration of the team.
“Personnel helps that and we’ve clearly had big individuals come here in recruitment terms.
“But the collective thing has to be the most important thing and the lads are working well and have confidence.”