This season is massive opportunity for Mason Mount

Chelsea usually has a raft of talented young players out on loan at other clubs. Last season one that shined brightest was young attacking midfielder, Mason Mount.

The 20-year-old shone under Frank Lampard at Derby in the Championship, as the Rams narrowly missed out on promotion. The appointment of Lampard as Chelsea boss was vital to Mount future development. On Sunday afternoon, the youngster scored his first Chelsea goal in a 1-1 draw against Leicester at Stamford Bridge.

An influential first half

Mount scored the opening goal of the game for the Blues. However, he could have scored a hat-trick from his role just behind Olivier Giroud. Firstly, he was denied by the legs of Kasper Schmeichel before he headed straight at the Danish international from ten yards out.

That was just a snapshot of the youngster’s ability in an influential first-half display. He looks to be a key player in how Lampard wants his team to press high up the pitch.

For the first half of Sunday’s game, he pressed and harried, and was the Blues best player in the first period. However, he seemed to drift out of the game in the second half, as Leicester took control of the midfield, which understandable considering his tender years.

Signs of real talent

He is just 20 years old and will learn from his mistakes, such as missing that headed opportunity. He has never played at the highest level until this season. Loan spells at the likes of Vitesse Arnhem and Derby can only prepare you so much for the Premier League.

No doubt helped Mount mature as a player and probably as a person. He impressed at both clubs and he looks like a highly intelligent player, who will only get better in the future.

He is showing real signs of talent for the Blues, just as he has in his loan spells. With a bit of nurturing, Mount could go on to become a fantastic player in the future.

The 20-year-old has the perfect mentor in Frank Lampard for his development. His boss played in the same position for a long time and will know exactly what Mount needs to do to have the best chance of fulfilling his potential in a blue shirt.

The Chelsea fans seem to realise they have a talented youngster in their midst in Mount. The Blues fans will have to be patient with the youngster, though. They have lost a major player in Eden Hazard and Mount is certainly not ready to fulfil the Belgian’s shoes for Chelsea. He can still be a big influence on the team though.

Chelsea now outsiders for a top-four spot

Despite the season being just two gameweeks old, Chelsea’s odds of making the Champions League have already drifted to 5/2.

In truth, it would be an incredible managerial achievement by Frank Lampard if Blues do make the Premier League top-four this season. Chelsea’s performances in their opening two games have been good at times.

They are not in crisis just yet. One of the positives coming out of the two games has been the performances of Mount. If Chelsea does not make the Champions League positions this season under Lampard, then at least Mount will have gained some valuable experience at the top level this season.

The season was never going to be an easy one in the circumstances. However, the clubs transfer ban has produced one plus in the fact that seemingly one of England’s brightest young talents will be playing on a regular basis in both the Premier League and the Champions League.

Will Mason Mount maintain a place in the Chelsea starting line-up this season?