‘Special player’: Declan Rice seriously impressed by Chelsea star’s display against Leeds
Declan Rice clearly loved his mate Mason Mount’s performance for Chelsea against Leeds United.
The West Ham United midfielder was certainly not the only one blown away by Mount’s exhibition at Elland Road yesterday evening.
A Mount-ainous showing
Pretty much from the word go, the Chelsea attacker put Leeds to the sword.
He continued to find spaces between midfield and defence, knitting together moves with real precision and purpose.
His first meaningful contribution came after just four minutes.
Thomas Tuchel’s team swept the ball from one side to the other, eventually landing at the feet of the onrushing Reece James.
James powered towards the area, but chose to cut back and set up his fellow academy scholar, who lay in waiting on the edge of the box.
Without hesitation, Mount stepped forward and struck an effort so sweetly into the top corner.
The 23-year-old almost added an assist moments later, yet Romelu Lukaku just couldn’t stretch enough to connect with the cross.
However, Mount didn’t have to wait too much longer to turn provider.
Another slick move in the second half concluded with the England international delicately teeing up Christian Pulisic, who greeted the pass with a low drive into the net.
Both scorers wield away in celebration, but it is the boy from British shores who drew all of the attention after the match.
Rice loved Mount against Leeds
Mount built on the interest around his display by uploading a post to Instagram not long after the final whistle.
Several players associated with Chelsea replied, including Rice, who responded with ‘special player’ to his childhood friend.
This connection goes well back to their pair’s days at Cobham, before West Ham waded in and chopped the duo in half.
The Hammers have definitely since benefited from this decision, as they wield one of the best central midfielders in the world currently.
But it is the Blues who possess England’s golden child.
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