Mason Mount's pointed remark after Chelsea signed Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech

Mason Mount enjoyed a breakthrough season under Frank Lampard.

But his future in the Chelsea starting line-up looked under threat when Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech both arrived for big money in the summer.

The two playmakers were amongst those tipped to take the Blues to the next level, yet it is homegrown star Mount who has emerged as their attacking star during an up and down campaign.

The 22-year-old has done his talking on the pitch and delivered five goals and four assists so far this season.

His dad, Tony, has now opened up on how Mount reacted behind the scenes when Chelsea signed potential replacements in the summer.

Mason Mount insisted to his dad he would not let Chelsea's new signings take his place (BT Sport)

And he claims his son responded with a pointed message - “They won’t take my place, I’ll raise my game”.

“He saw the players coming in as a massive challenge,” Mount’s father Tony told talkSPORT. “People were saying he would lose his place and he was aware of that.

“Mason’s attitude was brilliant. He thought Chelsea were bringing quality into the club and he’s desperate to win things.

“He didn’t look at that as anything other than good for the club, good for the team, and a challenge for him.

“I remember talking to him about it and he said, ‘They won’t take my place, I’ll raise my game’.”

Mount has thrived rather than seeing Havertz and Ziyech take his place (2020 Getty Images)

Mount was dubbed a “teacher’s pet” under Lampard, who he played for during a loan spell at Chelsea.

Many felt the arrival of Thomas Tuchel may prove a blow for the youngster - but he has instead thrived under the German.

“I’ve always thought that was a load of rubbish,” Tony said regarding talk of his relationship with Lampard.

“You’re telling me Lampard picked a player 80 times because he likes him and he’s a nice lad? He’s there to win football matches.

Mount has impressed under new manager Thomas Tuchel (Getty Images)

“He had a trust and a relationship, Frank knew what he was about. That was the foundation at Derby and it carried on at Chelsea.

“Tuchel is building a relationship with him now and Mason really likes him, he thinks he’s going to add something to his game and make him a better player, just like Frank.”

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