Pundits hail ‘terrific’ Mount after Champions League win

Former England striker Gary Lineker says Mason Mount is “terrific” every game he plays and cannot understand why anyone would doubt the Chelsea and England midfielder.

Mount scored his first Champions League goal – finding the bottom corner of the net after a glorious turn – as the Blues beat Porto 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League tie in Sevilla on Wednesday.

The 22 year old is Chelsea’s top scorer since Thomas Tuchel took over as boss, with five goals.

Lineker said on BT Sport: “He’s convincing more and more people he shouldn’t need to. He’s terrific every game he plays and he shouldn’t need to. He has technique, he has ability he has skill. He has energy.

“His first touch for the goal was exquisite.”

Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand agreed: “It’s autopilot when you are winning. You learn about character when you are losing.

“When things aren’t going well and you aren’t confident then you see who wants the ball, who hides.

“Mason Mount has stood up and taken responsibility.”

Chelsea legend Joe Cole was also quick to praise Mount.

“He’s a manager’s dream,” Cole told BT Sport. “Not only has he got this natural ability and he affects the the game in the final third, he the tactics to the tee.

“In the difficult spell in between managers when no one was playing well, he stood up so he is a leader as well.”

Ex-Chelsea boss Glenn Hoddle added: “He’s mature and is a player that knows how to play so many different positions. He is a top quality player. I don’t know why there is any sort of question about him.”