New Chelsea boss Lampard addresses Mason Mount situation

Chelsea legend Frank Lampard made a sensational return to the club on Thursday, just two years after being sacked by previous owner Roman Abramovich. 

The Englishman, Chelsea’s record goal scorer, has returned as the club’s manager on a short-term deal until the end of the season, succeeding Bruno Saltor who had taken over temporarily following the sacking of Graham Potter on Sunday.

Lampard’s return will be popular among the club’s fanbase, and gives owner Todd Boehly time to appoint a long-term successor in the coming weeks.

During his first press conference since returning to the club, Lampard was asked about Mason Mount, who has found himself out of favour of late and is set to be out of contract next summer.

When asked for his thoughts on the midfielder’s uncertain future, Lampard refused to comment and instead praised the England international’s ability and attitude.

“I don’t know enough about it to talk about and I think it would be wrong for me to delve into,” he said.

“Mason has always been good for me, Reece James, Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori, it’s been great to see them go on to big things.

Mount hasn’t featured in any of Chelsea’s last five league matches

“I need to find out where he is but I know what I get from Mason and I just want him to perform on the pitch and I look forward to talking to him more.”

Mount, 24, was one of Chelsea’s standout performers during Lampard’s first reign as the club’s manager.

During the 2019/20 season, the ex-Derby County loanee scored eight goals and provided six assists as he established himself in the Chelsea team for the first time.

While Mount flourished under Lampard and continued to impress during Thomas Tuchel’s reign, the midfielder has struggled more recently as Potter’s tenure came to an end.

Mount has missed Chelsea’s last five league games, initially due to an injury, but he has been an unused substitute during Chelsea’s last two.

Fans will expect Mount to return to the starting line up when Lampard returns to the dugout for The Blues’ game against Wolves on Saturday, with the pair having worked together at both Derby and Chelsea.

While Lampard’s return may be a good sign for Mount, the player’s future remains uncertain with his current contract set to expire next summer.

The club are believed to be keen for Mount to sign an extension, but talks have so far failed to progress.