Frank Lampard waxes lyrical about 'special' Mason Mount
By Tom Gott
Former Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard has admitted that the emergence of Mason Mount is his most positive memory from his 18 months in charge of the Blues.
Lampard, who gave Mount his first break on loan with Derby County in the 2018/19 season, faced a ridiculous amount of criticism for putting so much faith in Mount, but he has since been proven right as the England international continues to blossom into a crucial player for both club and country.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Lampard was more than happy to wax lyrical about Mount, and he also opened up on his feelings towards the club and even touched on his plans for the future.
Here's what he had to say.
On Mason Mount
"I'm delighted. I never understood the critics. He's evolving all the time. His performances were absolutely top draw. He'd never played in an English league, the Championship is a tough league, but when he stepped through the door, I could see something special in him... his quality, his work ethic. I really trusted him.
"At Chelsea, there were established players in those positions. The one thing I can be happy about is being part of that story for Mason from an early age. You're seeing him mature quite quickly.
"For me firstly, it was attitude and mentality. There was something about him when he played, it was an awareness of what was around him. I was sure it would be a difficult ride for him in the Championship.
"He's going to carry on developing and he's going to be a fantastic player. A nice feeling for me when I left Chelsea, I made Mason captain. It wasn't a gesture, I didn't know I was leaving at that point. I wanted to show Mason that his authority and standing within the group had risen. When you have players who have that care, it doesn't matter who the manager is. As you can see, I like him a lot."
On the chance to manage Chelsea
"I'm absolutely appreciative of the opportunity I had to manage Chelsea. It was an incredible time. Everyone knows how I felt about the club.
"From the restart onwards, to the time I left, to not have fans... I absolutely missed them. I knew as a player what it meant to me and I knew the effect it has on games. It all felt like the edge was taken off. When I read the headline about fans being back, it's so exciting. Yeah, cannot wait for that."
On a return to management
"Football has consumed my life firstly as a player and then as a manager. Nobody wants to lose their job. But when you go into this career, it can happen, no matter how good you think you are. It's given me a lot more time to be at home. It's been great to be around the family.
"I've had some opportunities that have come up in the last six weeks, two months, that have been flattering, but not the right thing. They were not quite right.
"It would be something I'm very keen to do in the right time and place. My eyes are always on it. I'm always watching football and trying to get better. I'll try and find the right time and right opportunity. I'm very keen to get working again.
"As I say, how much it consumes you when you're in it is a big deal. You cannot take away your love of the game. I like to keep involved."