Chelsea prospect tipped to win England place

Frank Lampard is convinced Derby’s on-loan Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount will be in the England reckoning before long.

Mount has been outstanding for the Rams so far this season and England boss Gareth Southgate watched him in action against Blackburn this week.

And Derby boss Lampard – Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer – believes Southgate will have been impressed.

Mount hit the woodwork with a sumptuous free-kick and was a class act throughout the game.

“Mason was fantastic, it is how he has been playing for us every game,” Blues legend Lampard told reporters.

“His free-kick was top class and his general play was creative, and workrate and passing were excellent. There is more to come from him.

“I think Gareth would have been impressed. Talking about young English players playing week in, week out, Mason is doing incredibly well.

“Mason is a great example of the loan system. Chelsea have a got a great young talent and him coming here helps both them and us, and he can do anything he wants.

“That’s not to stay he will go in and be an England starter in their next game, as it’s Gareth Southgate’s choice, but whatever level you put him in, because of his quality, work ethic and mentality, he will do anything he wants to.”