Jose Mourinho has credited former Blues head coach Frank Lampard for the emergence of Chelsea star Mason Mount.
The midfielder was instrumental for the Blues as they claimed a top four finish in the Premier League as well as the Champions League trophy after beating Manchester City in Porto last weekend.
Mount is still just 22 years of age, but he is playing at a maturity level of senior players and he is now with England ahead of the start of the delayed Euro 2020 next week.
But reaching this level took some unrelenting faith from a certain former manager, Lampard, who gets plenty of the credit from another former Blues boss in Mourinho.
“I have to be honest, I watched him two seasons ago in his first [Premier League] match, Manchester United against Chelsea at Old Trafford, and I saw the talent but I didn’t see maturity or consistency," he told The Times.
“I put a little bit of a question mark over how long this boy would need to develop and become a complete player. He didn’t need long.
“I think he has to thank Frank [Lampard] because even with results not being wonderful he was always keeping faith in that kid. He gave him incredible conditions to develop.
“I believe he is an attack-minded player, a creative player, but he has the tactical discipline. Mount is a team player.
“We see him now with [Thomas] Tuchel coming from the sides, when with Frank he was more of a No. 10. When they play with a back five he can be the third attacking player or the third midfield player.
“I think he is very, very intelligent on the pitch. From what I see, he has a very good understanding of the game.
“He has goals, which is an important thing for a midfield player. I like him very much.”
