MIGHTY MOUNT
But Lampard wants more goals from young midfielder
IN ThE minutes before this West London derby, the DJ at a deserted Craven Cottage did everything he could to create a spark. his playlist, played at deafening volume, shuddered the foundations of this old ground and, even after a football match broke out, it took 78 minutes for Chelsea to dial down some of the noise — around their form and the future of their manager.
The reckless red card for Fulham full back antonee Robinson, shortly before the break, unlocked the door but Chelsea struggled to bang it down until Mason Mount’s low finish.
Though the visitors toiled for long periods, the victory was no less than Mount’s performance deserved — the midfielder created seven chances.
More crucial still, it was no less than Lampard’s side needed. Four defeats in six matches had rendered this a must-win.
hence Lampard shuffled his pack in search of leaders: Olivier Giroud, Cesar azpilicueta and antonio Rudiger all came in, yet Mount kept his place — and made the difference.
Though the midfielder was 22 only this month, his displays have earned him a place among Lampard’s trusted lieutenants.
For all his obvious quality, this was Mount’s first league goal since September. ‘I really aspire to score more,’ said the midfielder.
Lampard added: ‘It’s a conversation I have a lot with Mason.
‘I’m always on at him about it because that was something big in my game. But my serious goalscoring came when I was 25, 26 at Chelsea.’
It is true — Lampard was 25 by the 2003-04 season, when he netted double figures in the Premier League for the first of 10 straight seasons. It was a remarkable run from midfield that ended with him breaking Chelsea’s goalscoring record.
‘By the time he’s 23, 24 and maturing into the prime of his career, I’d like to think that Mason Mount will be a player of the highest level in all senses, who has at least 10 goals — maybe 15 or so — in him. That’s the potential I believe (he has) and the great thing is I know he knows it and wants it. So it will happen.’
Before netting at Fulham, Mount had hit the bar and created an opening for Giroud with neat footwork. But what more can he do?
‘he needs to get in the 18-yard box more,’ Lampard added. ‘If you keep getting in there, by numbers and with his quality, his smartness in his play, he will get chances and he will score more goals. To score the type of goal he scored was a big deal for me.’
It was huge for Chelsea’s season, too. Their recent rut has piled the pressure on Lampard and Mount admitted the squad have huddled around their manager. But the midfielder knows the critics will only be silenced if wins over Morecambe and Fulham are backed up — starting at Leicester tomorrow.
‘We went through a tough period. The most important thing is to show that character you need to get out of it,’ Mount said. ‘Now we move on to Tuesday and attack that with the same mentality.’ FULHAM (5-4-1): Areola 5.5; Tete 6, Aina 6.5 (Bryan 83min), Andersen 6.5, Adarabioyo 6.5, Robinson 4; De Cordova-Reid 5.5 (Kamara 83), Reed 6, Anguissa 6, Lookman 6.5; Cavaleiro 5 (Onomah 79). Subs not used: Hector, Odoi, Kebano, Rodak, Ream. Booked: Lookman, De Cordova-Reid. Sent off: Robinson. Manager: Scott Parker 6.5. CHELSEA (4-3-3): Mendy 6; Azpilicueta 6, Silva 6.5, Rudiger 6.5, Chilwell 6.5; Kovacic 6, Jorginho 6 (Abraham 65, 6), MOUNT 8; Ziyech 7 (Hudson-Odoi 75, 7), Giroud 6.5 (Werner 75, 5.5), Pulisic 6.5. Subs not used: Arrizabalaga, Zouma, Gilmour, James, Havertz, Emerson. Scorer: Mount 78. Booked: Azpilicueta, Silva, Ziyech. Manager: Frank Lampard 6.5. Referee: Peter Bankes 6.5.