Jamie Redknapp feels that Mason Mount, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva, and Edouard Mendy are all undroppable from the Chelsea team.
All four started in the less than convincing 1-0 win over Fulham on Saturday, with Mount’s accurate low finish ultimately deciding the London derby.
Speaking on Sky Sports after the match, the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder felt Frank Lampard only had a handful of players he could consistently call upon.
“Frank’s got a few players in that team right now that he will be picking every single week; he (Mount) is one, Mendy, Thiago Silva’s incredible, Chilwell. Apart from that, I think there’s only a few of them.”
There were a limited number of outstanding performers for Chelsea, who were frustrated by 10-man Fulham after Antonee Robinson was sent off just before half time.
Whilst Chilwell and Silva had solid games at the back, ensuring Mendy was largely untroubled, there was only one star of the show at Craven Cottage.
Mount was head and shoulders above the rest, contributing more than any other players in Lampard’s side going forward and even pitching in with his defensive duties.
His goal was taken maturely for a man who had only turned 22 just over a week ago and he really set a precedent for all his teammates to equal.
“Energy, he (Mount) had energy,” Redknapp added.
“I looked at times today you’re thinking (Christian) Pulisic might do something, (Hakim) Ziyech had a couple of moments but not enough. But what Mason Mount did today is he set the tempo all game.”
Redknapp had a point about the undroppable quartet that Lampard has relied heavily on throughout the season.
Mendy has only missed four fixtures since he signed in September, whilst Chilwell has started the last 15 in the Premier League.
Silva’s minutes have been handled carefully due to his age, which is the polar opposite to Mount who’s hardly missed a moment this campaign.
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Redknapp has a valid point where Mount and Chilwell are concerned, however, I have some doubts that Silva or Mendy couldn’t be replaced.
Rudiger stepped in for the absence of Kurt Zouma and played well, so who says he can’t be swapped for the experienced Brazilian.
Mendy hardly had anything to do against Fulham, so to judge whether or not he’s overcome his recent wobble might have to wait for Leicester City on Tuesday.