Mount delighted with first Chelsea goal, less delighted with no first Chelsea win

For twenty or so minutes, it looked like the perfect (home) debut for not only manager Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge, but young Academy midfielder Mason Mount as well. The 20-year-old, who’s featured in all three games so far, opened the scoring in the seventh minute and it looked like Chelsea would blow Leicester away.

That didn’t quite happen of course. Chelsea started running out of steam halfway through the first-half and by the end of the 90 minutes, were barely hanging on to the share of the points. But those first 20 minutes! Oh those first 20 minutes...

“It’s a shame that we couldn’t get the win. I thought we were really good for the first 20 minutes or so and created a lot of chances, but in the second half we weren’t quite at the same level. We got the goal but then dropped off a bit and that gave Leicester confidence to get back into the game.

“As a team, we have to look at our performance overall and there are plenty of things for us to still work on. We’ve been starting games really well but now we have to work on maintaining that throughout 90 minutes. We have a whole week to prepare for the next game and we’ll be working hard.”

As Mount points out, Chelsea have started all three competitive matches so far very well, even taking the lead against both Liverpool and Leicester, but then would gradually lose control and cede the initiative and the advantage to the opposition, falling behind in the first two games and only getting saved by the bell yesterday. That is not a good pattern if we are hoping for any sort of success this season. Fortunately, we do have a bit of time to figure it out.

Whatever the solution, Mount looks set to play a big part. It’s been a dream season for him already, earning his spot on the team, making his debut, and now scoring his first goal — first of many, hopefully.

“It’s a dream come true and I can’t even describe the feeling, it’s going to be with me for a long time. My family were all here today and obviously it’s a special moment just to make my debut at home but to score as well is a massive moment for me. It’s what you dream of — coming through the Academy and being at the club since the age of six, to start the game in front of all our home fans and score is amazing.”

“It feels a bit surreal, having been at the club for such a long time and now finally breaking into the first team. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and now there are fans with my name on the back of their shirts! It’s crazy to process but my focus is to keep working hard day-in, day-out in training so I can play as many games as I can and prove to the manager that I’m ready. I’m loving every minute of it.”

-Mason Mount; source: Chelsea FC

Once we start winning, it’s going to be even lovelier!

Lampard believes there’s much more to come from Mason himself as well.

“The epitome of his talent is the goal. Great off the ball and energy to close people down and then the quality to finish it. In those opening periods he could have scored two more goals almost. He will get better and better as he’s 20 years of age. That’s the first of some big moments for Mason going forward. I’m delighted for him on that level and I know he will be slightly disappointed as he would have wanted that goal to be a part of a win. He will get better.”

-Frank Lampard; source: Football.London

Make it so.