It was the turn of Ashley Cole to hail the excellence of Mason Mount following his conclusive moment for Chelsea against Liverpool yesterday evening, speaking on Sky Sports.
Thomas Tuchel’s team came up trumps at Anfield thanks to Mount’s well-taken goal that cast them into a Champions League spot.
Chelsea heaped further misery on Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, who slumped down to seventh position after last night’s loss.
But it was all joy in the Blues corner, who are now unbeaten in ten matches under Tuchel.
A huge slice of this success has come down to maintaining Mount’s significant role within the starting line-up.
Since replacing him for game number one in charge of Chelsea, Tuchel has started the England midfielder in every league fixture.
Cole believed the Blues boss had realised his mistake pretty quickly and that Mount’s inclusion was of the utmost importance.
“The manager already stated he had one day to choose a starting line and he went for experience,” explained the former Chelsea left-back.
“I can guarantee you after the first or second training session and watching Mason Mount, he was the first name on his team sheet.
“I’ve been with him at Derby County, I’ve watched him at Chelsea. I’ve seen the dedication, hard work and graft he put in. Not just in training sessions, but afterwards.
“For me, best player for Chelsea and first name on the teammate.”
This was certainly high praise from a player who was quite often the go to man for any manager he featured under.
But Cole gained first-hand knowledge of Mount’s talents when the pair enjoyed a solitary season together at Derby under Frank Lampard.
Mount’s rise following that Championship campaign has been nothing short of astronomical.
After making his Premier League debut on the opening day of 2019/20, he’s appeared 89 times for Chelsea in all competitions and earned 10 England caps.
Continue in this trajectory and the sky really is the limit for Mount.
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