Mount happy to be ‘home’ and contributing to the Chelsea cause

Amongst many positives that can be taken from Chelsea’s (first) preseason under manager Frank Lampard, Mason Mount’s performances in midfield, including his team-leading three goals are certainly at or near the top of the list. The 20-year-old looks like a veteran cog in the system already, which certainly does make sense as this is now the start of his third season as a senior professional and second under Lampard.

Mount showed all his qualities in Sunday’s friendly against Reading, grabbing a second-half brace in the 4-3 win and impressing overall.

“It was a good day because it’s a tough place to come to play and Reading started the game very well. We had two teams in each half and everybody got some minutes, so it was a good pre-season game, and obviously we’re working hard in training to get ready for the season.”

One of the biggest questions facing new-look Chelsea is where the goals are going to come from now that Eden Hazard’s gone and none of the club’s three strikers immediately engender supreme confidence. Mount, just as Ross Barkley expressed earlier, is putting his faith in a goal-scoring committee.

“The goals are going to come from different places and I want to contribute towards that from midfield. In the final third, it’s down to us to create and play freely. I think we did that in the second half and tried to combine in and around the box. In pre-season games, it doesn’t always come off but we’re working on it in training.”

The other big question is just how (and how well) the club’s increased emphasis on our own youth will pay off. Mount is one of several Academy youngsters who will in theory play major roles for Lampard, both this season and ideally going forward for a long time. Fortunately, Mount continues to say all the right words, in addition to working hard in training, and performing up to expectations in games so far.

“I feel like I’m home after having two seasons away on loan and now coming back. It’s very exciting times for the younger players because there’s an opportunity there, but it’s not given.

“You have to work hard and show to the manager that you’re ready to step up and get into the team. That’s my goal, I’m loving my football at the moment and playing where I feel most at home.”

-Mason Mount; source: Chelsea FC

So far so good!

The season starts in two weeks.