Frank Lampard heaps praise on Mason Mount

Derby County manager Frank Lampard has praised the qualities of teenage midfielder Mason Mount. The 19-year-old is presently on a season-long loan from Premier League side Chelsea and he has excelled during the initial phase of the Championship with two goals and an assist from eight matches.

Speaking after Derby’s goalless draw against Blackburn, Lampard has been impressed with the all-round qualities of the midfielder, who spent the previous campaign on loan with Vitesse Arnhem. He added that the teenager is ready to make the step up to the England senior side, though the decision is left for Gareth Southgate to make.

He said: “Mason Mount can do anything he wants, he is that good. That’s not to say he will go in and be an England starter “next game, that’s Gareth Southgate’s choice, but at whatever level you put him in because of his quality and work ethic and mentality –“ he wants to get better “ and better – he can do anything he wants. It is my decision to play him every week at the moment, and it will be Gareth’s decision if and when to pick him for the England team.”

Mason has previously admitted that he has idolised Lampard from the beginning of his playing career and he is certainly making the most of the opportunity to impress the Blues legend. Nonetheless, he has yet to get any taste of Premier League football and until that happens, he may not come close to being considered for the Three Lions.
Derby have yet to win a game after the international break with a defeat and a draw against Rotherham United and Blackburn Rovers respectively and this has witnessed them drop to eighth in the standings, although just a point separates them from the play-off places. Up next, Lampard’s side have a testing encounter against high-flying Brentford at Pride Park this weekend.