Three big questions: Chelsea’s Mason Mount and being crucial

3. How much will Frank Lampard rely on him with other options available?

Tied into if Mount will play more as an eight or a winger is how much he will play at all next season. Lampard played him 53 times with Chelsea. He played him 45 times with Derby County. It is clear now that at two separate clubs in two different situations that Lampard trusts and relies on the young Englishman above almost any other player.

Part of that at Derby was Mount being a true talent among his peers. At Chelsea, Mount was the player most familiar with Lampard’s pressing and attacking set up. Furthermore, at least at the start of the season, Ross Barkley was Mount’s only direct competition.

But in the new season with tactics and shapes settling, Mount will face competition from Barkley, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Barkley, Kovacic and maybe Ziyech if Lampard does not see him as a winger. The addition of Havertz would further crowd that picture.

This is not to say Mount is going to be dropped because he absolutely will not be. Kovacic is serious competition but Mount will surely be seen as a starter more often than not. The only real question is if Lampard feels like he needs to start him or play him as much as he did this season.

Playing nearly 100 times for one manager over the course of two seasons shows a great level of trust for sure, but at the same time, it implies a lack of alternatives. Next season, the players that were at Chelsea should be better versed in what Lampard wants to see on and off the ball. The addition of Havertz would give Lampard a plethora of options. So, Chelsea will not need to play Mount as much. The only question is how often he does use him and how often he gives him a break when he can.

What questions do you think need to be asked of Mount ahead of next season? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!