Glenn Hoddle thinks Chelsea youngster Mason Mount is at a higher level now than Frank Lampard was at the same stage of their careers.
Writing in his column for the Evening Standard, the former Chelsea and England manager felt that Mount had improved further than Lampard when they were similar ages.
After the 1-0 over Fulham, the current Blues boss suggested that match-winner Mount was already ahead in terms of development to when he arrived at Stamford Bridge.
“I came to Chelsea at 22, and I wasn’t blowing the world away in my first year or so, I was finding my feet, but Mason already has so many games under his belt,” he said to reporters (via Sky Sports).
Hoddle responded to the statement, saying, “Frank is being very honest and I think he is probably spot on. Technically and his movement, I would agree with Frank.”
At 22, Lampard had scored seven goals during his maiden Chelsea campaign, amassing 53 appearances across all competitions.
At the same age, Mount has scored 11 times in 78 matches for the Blues
His goal against Fulham was only his third of the season and Hoddle thought this low return would stop the similarities, at least from a scoring perspective.
“I think Mason Mount is a terrific player but maybe when he is 26 or 27, I am not sure he will be anywhere near the same returns as Frank as a goal scorer.”
“But he will get involved around the pitch in different aspects of the game much more than Frank. “
Lampard became the club’s record goalscorer in 2013 after netting twice against Aston Villa, bagging his 202nd and 203rd for Chelsea.
Those numbers seem unsalable for anyone, let alone a midfielder like Mount, but the England international is certainly on the same path to greatness.
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The Mount/ Lampard association grows thicker by the day and you can see why. His goat Fulham was taken with the precision that his manager used to deliver every week.
However, I think Hoddle is right in saying that his numbers won’t come close to Lampard’s. He is too involved all over the pitch to be a pure goalscoring midfielder.
This is certainly not a negative, as he contributes so much more to the team than just goals.
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