Mason Mount's future at Stamford Bridge looks increasingly uncertain Photo: Getty Images/Harriet Lander
Frank Lampard admits he doesn't know whether Mason Mount has already played his last game for Chelsea after it was revealed the midfielder would miss the remainder of the season with an injury.
Telegraph Sport understands that Mauricio Pochettino, who is on the verge of appointment as new permanent head coach, is a big fan of Mount, but he will have to wait to see if the England international will be part of his team next season.
Interim Chelsea manager Lampard confirms Rhys James is expected will not play again this season due to a hamstring injury and Mount having surgery for a pelvic problem.
Mount, who is Liverpool's target, has yet to sign a contract extension with only a year left, opening the possibility of the end of the world for the academy graduate who will leave in the summer without playing a game for Chelsea.
«I don't know the answer to that question, it's a conversation between Mason and the club, so I don't know,» Lampard said. “At the moment it is not final and we will have to see because these conversations are ongoing.
“Personally, it’s a shame for me because I think everyone knows how I feel about working with Mason and I like to think that he feels the same way about me and we could end him in games that we already played this season. But the bigger picture will become clearer in the coming weeks and months, and it will be a joint conversation between club and Mason.»
Chelsea will remain without the influence of Rhys James until the end of this season. Photo: Getty Images/Manuel Reino Berengui
Despite their connection, Lampard admitted he has no influence on Mount's future and added: «At this point it's not my opinion what will be the decision. It will be the opinion of the club and the opinion of Mason, so it's between them. I think my opinion is pretty clear, I don't need to explain what I think of Mason as a player, but it's none of my business, it's between them.»
When asked if he feels that, Whichever club he plays for next season, Mount will show he is the best player after a disappointing campaign, Lampard replied: “Absolutely sure.
“I think form is for a young player, people can analyze and question form, but you can very quickly forget the consistency that Mason showed during the period he broke through.
“At first I took a great part in this, and after my departure he continued for his country. Then you forget how young he is because he is such a mature player that all his managers have so much confidence in him. So I think if there was a drop in form, it's more than understandable, and I think every player has it, especially in the developing years.
“But there is no doubt that Mason is a first-class player, thanks to the fact that he brings value to the team and takes them out of the game. Form always fluctuates a bit, but the best players manage to build up great consistency and he was Chelsea's Player of the Year for a couple of seasons when he had a lot of top players around him. People think it's easy to play with the best players around you. It's not easy, and he succeeded.»
Свежие комментарии