Chelsea: Mason Mount, a key part of the new look squad

Mason Mount has an important role to play going into his second year with the Chelsea first team, despite the new attacking signings.

After a brilliant first campaign for Chelsea, Mason Mount is poised for an even better one this upcoming season. The 21-year-old had a breakout year for the Blues since coming over with new manager Frank Lampard from Derby County, where he proved to Lampard that he would be a huge asset for his Blues. He justified the gaffer’s confidence in spades tallying a solid eight goals and adding a further 5 assists in all competitions—Mount was simply terrific.

Mount is a multi-talented, versatile and multi-role player able to impact the game in a plethora of ways for Lampard. Mount is well-suited for the left wing in a far forward role, as well. He not only possesses a great finishing ability, but can also contribute assists to his teammates with equal confidence. With another candidate for that wing—Christian Pulisic—still battling injury, Lampard may indeed tap Mount to fill that role against Brighton on September 14. He will seamlessly hold down the position until his young counterpart returns.

Lampard can also slot in another versatile option on the left wing while Pulisic is absent, the newly acquired Timo Werner. This may occur should he decide to employ his excellent depth at center forward and insert either of his outstanding options, Olivier Giroud or Tammy Abraham. It’s a good problem for Lampard to have as those three forwards give him top goal-scoring ability and indeed, flexibility in choosing his attacking formation. Yet, it could be a problem as Lampard will have to get creative in trying to keep these three top Premier League starting quality center forwards happy. Werner and Mount’s versatility will help there, as well.

Should Werner be inserted on the left wing and/or when Pulisic returns should he start, Mount will still have a solid starting position in which Lampard can utilize his aforementioned flexibility. His starting role would be in his natural midfield spot. Mount is a born fit on the left as an attacking midfielder in a dual No. 8 formation, especially should Lampard employ the 4-3-3. Mount is a natural in that position and as the linchpin between lightning fast left back Ben Chilwell and the slashing Pulisic or blisteringly pacy Werner at left wing, he will shine.

That’s a mouth-watering left-sided attack with Mount slotting into the midfield. Not to mention how the right side complementing the left may look with Reece James, Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech bringing their monster skills to the table, as well.

Complementing his attacking flair, Mount’s versatility in defense—taking into account his fantastic work rate and tackling ability—will also be of utmost value to Lampard with his affinity for an attack-first pathway. Mount will be counted upon to use his pace to recover on counters to assist defensive central midfielder, N’Golo Kante, or whoever may deputize in that position. This raises Mount’s worth to the Blues exponentially.

As the season fast approaches, Mount clearly represents a fabulous tool for Frank Lampard to capitalize on. His pace, work rate, tackling ability and scoring flair afford a multi-role and multi-positional asset to the gaffer and the team. Count on Mount to rack up double-digit goals and possibly assists, as well. With his initial go-around now under his belt, Mount is poised to have a fabulous breakout season for the Blues beginning on next week at Brighton.