Lampard plants the seed for keeping Mason Mount next season

Frank Lampard’s Derby County have looked a different, much better side when Chelsea loanee Mason Mount has been playing — his two-month absence was keenly felt earlier in the spring — and whether they make the promotion playoffs or perhaps even the promotion final, Lampard’s hoping to count on the midfielder next season as well.

Of course, he knows that’s an unlikely proposition. Mount’s ear-marked for a Chelsea first-team shot, last we heard, and is surely ready for top flight action, either with Chelsea or with another loan. But just in case, he’s planted the seed of a potential future arrangement for the 20-year-old’s services.

“There is not an option [for a further year], no. As it stands, he goes back in the summer. I would obviously like to review that in any way in the summer, but that’s far away at the minute.”

-Frank Lampard; source: Derby Telegraph

Derby are trying to make a late push for the promotion playoffs, so indeed, everybody’s focusing on that, including Mount himself, who was also asked about his future this weekend. He answered that from the standard book of responses, Eden Hazard edition

“It’s not on my mind at the moment, my focus is fully on these last games and trying to get Derby in the best place, and get us promotion. That was our goal from the beginning, and that stays my goal.”

“I haven’t had any thought about next season and my future. We have got some important games coming up and my focus is 100% on that, and 100% on Derby this season.”

-Mason Moutnt; source: Derby Telegraph

Chelsea are set to lose at least one midfielder this summer — with or without a transfer ban — so one spot should be up for grabs. Mount’s certainly capable of getting that, as long as we’re willing to give him a proper chance.