Mason Mount has lifted the lid on what it is like playing under Frank Lampard, revealing how the Chelsea boss has developed a tough love management style.
The 21-year-old has been one of the Blues' most consistent performers after establishing himself as a first-team regular, making 51 appearances and scoring eight goals in all competitions.
Along with fellow academy stars Tammy Abraham and Reece James, Mount has starred under Lampard's guiding hand as Chelsea secured a top-four finish and reached the FA Cup final, where they face Arsenal on Saturday at Wembley.
Lampard has previously confessed he is a big admirer of Mount, but the Blues coach has not been afraid to haul off the midfielder when he doesn't perform, as he demonstrated in the FA Cup quarter-final clash against Leicester City.
Mount was hooked at half time - with James and Billy Gilmour also sacrificed - and his triple substitution paid dividends as the Blues won 1-0 thanks to Ross Barkley's strike.
And Mount says that despite Lampard's reputation, the Chelsea manager is not afraid to let his feelings known if he falls below the required standard.
“It was a big game and we were focused on the win,” Mount told The Times when asked about the Leicester game.
“He [Lampard] obviously made the right decision and changed a few positions.
“One minute he can put his arm around you and tell you, you have been doing well. Then if he doesn’t think you have, he will take you off and you will know about it. He has definitely got that side to him and we’ve seen that.
“He is massive on the competition side of things, especially in training. And a lot of the focus is on training. If you train really well, you will start the games.”
