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As childhood friends, Chelsea youth team hopefuls, and eventually England internationals, (Chelsea’s) Mason Mount and (West Ham’s) Declan Rice make for one of the best “bromances” in the world of football.
We — and many others — certainly wouldn’t mind if the next step in the friendship was a reunion at Chelsea. But until that happens, Declan will be on the opposite side of the pitch trying his best to stop his friend Mason’s efforts.
An evening in the company of Mason Mount and Declan Rice is certainly eventful. Here’s the story of their hilarious friendship before Chelsea v West Ham. There are some brilliant tales from an inseparable duo https://t.co/xiXqS1mZyi #whufc #cfc
— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) November 29, 2019
As a former player with more than two decades of experience as a professional, Lampard, who may or may not be pushing most for Rice’s signature, certainly knows the feeling of playing against good friends, at both club and international level. And that added degree of competitiveness can be harnessed for good.
“It’s healthy, it’s good. The competitive nature will come out when you play against your friends. Those personal battles generate an extra level of competition between Mason and Declan individually and that’s fine, that’s how it should be.”
“I don’t know Declan that well but they’re both young, hungry boys who want to do well for their team.”
-Frank Lampard; source: Metro
Of course getting a good result against West Ham after two consecutive losses in the Premier League is the main drive behind the encounter, and the personal duel between Rice and Mount will go a long ways towards determining that as well.