Currently, the Premier League is awash with young talent, with some top-flight English clubs wholeheartedly embracing a youthful approach.
One of those is Chelsea – Frank Lampard has entrusted youth and, in return, has been rewarded with an energetic squad bursting with enthusiasm. Chief amongst those who have wholeheartedly embraced Lampard’s philosophy is Mason Mount, and at just 20-years-old he has the world at his feet.
One of the most frightening prospects with regards to Mount is that this is his debut Premier League season; he should only improve from here. The number of goals he has scored in the league is level with James Maddison, another English starlet; both have four in 13 starts.
Though what Maddison does not have is as much time: Mount is three years younger than his counterpart, and under Lampard’s tutelage, he has all that precious time to develop and eclipse the Leicester City player’s ability.
Mount is of course incredibly fortunate, firstly that he spent last season on loan with Lampard at Derby County, and secondly that his former boss is now his current boss at Stamford Bridge, paving the way for young prospects.
Another reason Chelsea’s attacking midfielder has been so lucky is that he could scarcely ask for a better tutor than his current manager, a man who made 609 Premier League appearances, scoring 177 goals; more than any other midfielder in the division. That is the exact mould of player he is trying to shape himself into and every day he can soak up the wisdom of all Lampard’s experiences.
There is scarcely a pairing of player and manager in the Premier League more suited than Mount and Lampard, especially at such a crucial stage of the midfielder’s development. It has been reflected in the spectacular year he is having, in 2019 he has made his Chelsea debut, scored his first goal for the Blues and represented his country; he may even yet make the squad for his first major tournament this summer at the Euros.
A perfect storm has whipped up the ideal environment for nurturing talent at Chelsea, and Mason Mount happens to have found himself in the eye of that storm. Based on its current trajectory, his potential is limitless, but for now, there can be no doubt he unquestionably becoming the best midfielder under the age of 21 in the English top-flight.
