Roy Keane gave a glowing review of Mason Mount on Sky Sports before Chelsea clashed with Manchester United in the Premier League yesterday.
There was very little to discuss about the 0-0 draw, other than one controversial handball incident that nearly went against Chelsea.
Pre-match, the topic of conversation understandably turned to Mount, who had been picked by Thomas Tuchel again following more exemplary performances under his stewardship.
Chelsea’s coach has started the 22-year-old for all but two matches since he arrived at Stamford Bridge.
One was opening night for Tuchel against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The other, an FA Cup away trip to Barnsley.
Keane was not surprised in the slightest that Mount was now a favourite of another manager at club and country level.
“That’s easily done when you’re a really good player,” said the former Manchester United captain.
“We’ve been praising this lad for the last number of years.
“The way he plays the game, a bit like Paul Scholes, plays like a kid in the street.
“All comes very easy to him. Good first touch. Seems an honest kid.
“He’s got a goal in him; he’s got an assist. There’s no surprise this lad is playing.”
Frank Lampard was the first to take a shining to Mount, both at Derby County and then Chelsea.
Gareth Southgate caught on pretty quickly to the midfielder’s talents.
In the space of 12 months, he was an England regular and heartbeat of the Blues organisation.
Tuchel has continued this fondness of Mount into his reign in London.
More often than not, he’s one of the first names on his team sheet.
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It does sometimes look too easy for Mount, the way he just glides past opponents as if they were whispers in the wind.
I don’t think he’s quite got the passing range of Scholes just yet and he needs to add more goals to his repertoire.
But that will certainly improve the older he gets.
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