Time to Mount steps up poachers’ ladder
Lamps backing Mason to net even more for Blues
MASON MOUNT has answered the call for Chelsea this season more often than a Covidiot being contacted by track and trace.
And it was the England star to the rescue again to ease the pressure on Frank Lampard and finally deliver victory over 10-man Fulham.
Whether he’s been asked to do a job in midfield, attack teams from the wing, or be a creator, Mount has done the business this season.
So you would not now bet against him answering his manager’s call to start scoring more goals like his matchwinner here too.
It was his first in the league since September but Lampard believes the 22-year-old is capable of scoring 15 times a season if he gets into the box more often.
He said: “It’s a conversation I have a lot with Mason because I feel he can get more goals from midfield. He needs to get in the 18-yard box more.
“When he gets older it’ll be very natural for him to understand the moments he can get in there because tonight he gets in there a lot of times.
“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.
“That’s why I’m really happy for him today. To score the type of goal he scored was a big deal for me.
“Rather than a 25-yarder he did last week, goals in the box are what Mason can definitely add.
“By the time he’s 23, 24 and maturing into the prime of his career, I’d like to think Mason will be a player of the highest level in all senses and 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.”
Chelsea struggled to break down a Fulham team who had plenty of chances before Antonee Robinson was sent off for a wild tackle on Cesar Azpilicueta.
But Mount broke the deadlock in the 79th minute with a controlled volley into the bottom corner after Alphonse Areola could only parry a Ben Chilwell cross.
It was his second goal in a week after he opened the scores against Morecambe in the FA Cup.
But his only other came four months ago when he started their comeback in a 3-3 draw at West Brom.
Mount, who also hit the woodwork, said: “Two in a week is obviously very good for me. I really aspire to score more goals so I’m really happy with that. “For me, the next step is continuing to play as many games as I can – and winning trophies. All of us players want to be successful and that’s a big goal of mine. “I want to win a big trophy for this club. Hopefully I can keep getting better and keep challenging myself to do more and be an even bigger leader in the team.” Mount is still not popular with a large section of the Chelsea faithful who want to see bigger names like Kai Havertz in the team ahead of him. But he said: “The most important people, I just try to make them proud. I let my football do the talking, scoring goals and putting in performances will do that.”