Chelsea boss Frank Lampard backs Mason Mount and shuts down critics

Lampard gives Chelsea team news update ahead of hosting Brighton

Frank Lampard on Friday night dismissed critics of Mason Mount and labelled the Chelsea midfielder “already a top-level player”. The England star, 24, has had a troubled, injury-hit year and has only scored three league goals.

Chelsea are on their third manager of the campaign and struggling in 11th place in the Premier League, and could do with a fit-and-flying Mount to help out. The two-time Chelsea Player of the Year made his breakthrough as a teenager on loan at Derby under Lampard and was propelled into the first team at Stamford Bridge by the former England hero.

But Mount is now in the middle of a contract wrangle with Chelsea, wanting a deal that will put him level with the higher earners at the club, and only a year left on his current agreement. The academy product has come in for criticism from fans for some inconsistent displays, and there has been speculation that he could be among several unloaded in the summer – with Liverpool especially keen.

But Lampard, back in charge at Stamford Bridge until the end of the season after the sacking of Graham Potter, said: “I’m not going to tell anyone what opinion they should have – but if anyone thinks Mason Mount is not already a top-level player I’m not sure what they’re seeing. 

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“Form is one thing that people can debate. Working with Mason, you can ask myself, Thomas Tuchel, Gareth Southgate or Graham Potter – it’s clear he’s a top player. Mason’s had his small injury problem. 

“But he’s a top player and a top lad. He does have a big affiliation with the club. The first thing a top player should have is a hunger to succeed and do well for Chelsea. Mason’s had that since the first day I took him to Derby. 

“That’s simple for me. He’s still a young player. He can go even further, but he’s already a top player.” Lampard’s words will serve as a warning to club owner Todd Boehly. Mount, a substitute in the 2-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat at Real Madrid in midweek, is set to feature against Brighton on Saturday.

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The visit of the Seagulls is Lampard’s first home match back before prepares to try to overturn the Spaniards in the second leg on Tuesday. But he warned his players they need to understand exactly what the demands are on a player at Chelsea.

He said: “There is a lot of talent in the squad – but that talent has to be applied daily to get the end product. My job is to ram that home. Talent is one thing – work ethic and applying that on the pitch is another. 

“Being a Chelsea player and the expectations – some players who have come into the club are trying to understand that.” In bad news for the Blues, centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly could be out for a month with a hamstring injury after pulling up against Real.

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