Frank Lampard has detailed what sets Mason Mount apart from many of his peers.
Mount has been excellent for Chelsea this season, both under Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel, and he was recently awarded the men's player of the season prize at the club for his efforts.
But while the midfielder's talent on the field is in no doubt, it might just be his attitude off the field that sets him apart from many other players, both at his age and beyond.
The 22-year-old was an undroppable under Lampard, and indeed under Tuchel, but for the former, there was one particular circumstance when he knew Mount was made of different stuff.
"I remember every time I didn't play Mason, people say it wasn't that much, but his eyes were burning you in the meeting room the minute I didn’t pick him and that’s a 20-year-old kid," Lampard told the Guardian
“I liked that because it reminded me of myself."
He added: "His form was developing this season, he’s Chelsea Player of the Year and rightly so because his individual performances have been immense particularly for someone of his age.
"But I saw his leadership skills in his personality developing this season and I’ve always seen it in Mason because there’s a sternness about Mason, there’s a toughness about him.
"He’s a great lad, not always the most vocal but this year he’s starting to be a bit more vocal and he started just to ooze those qualities.
"So I made him captain for that and I saw him as a future Chelsea captain. That’s obviously other people’s decisions now."
Mount has managed nine goals and eight assists this season for the Blues, helping them towards a top-four finish, as well as reaching the Champions League final.
Though, his impact has been felt far beyond goal contributions, and he's rated as Chelsea's best player by WhoScored so far this season, with an average rating of 7.36, putting him well ahead of Antonio Rudiger in second, who has a rating of 7.07.
