Why Mason Mount’s form will be vital if Derby are to reach playoffs
Derby County have put an inconsistent start to the new season behind them by winning their last three fixtures in the Championship.
Derby’s latest win came last weekend when they edged past Hull City 2-1, with goals from Martyn Waghorn and Florian Jozefzoon securing all three points. The win at Hull helped Frank Lampard’s side jump to the fourth spot in the Championship standings heading into the international break.
Mason Mount has also enjoyed a really good start to the Championship campaign that has seen him earn a lot of praise from all corners of the globe. Although Mount wasn’t on the scoresheet against Hull, he stood out again, producing another top display from central midfield.
In his first eight appearances, the 19-year-old has netted four times – continuing the fine form he showed at Vitesse last season. Since joining from Chelsea on loan earlier this summer, Mount really has been excellent.
There was a feeling before the start of the season that the 19-year-old may be ready for the Championship challenge and after a few games, the prediction has been accurate.
While his aim might be to return to Chelsea next summer and challenge for a place in Maurizio Sarri’s starting XI, Mount will be hoping he can help Lampard’s Derby back to the Premier League for the first time since 2008.
Mount appears to have quickly adapted to Championship football, with manager Lampard using the player in central midfield, as the keystone of his system with the license to get forward and affect the play in the final third. And the 19-year-old has done exactly what has been asked by his manager, showing immense character and ability to handle the roughness of Championship football.
Little appears to have fazed the exciting prospect who has been called up to Aidy Boothroyd’s under-21 England squad. Mount was in the FA’s thoughts in May too, when he was invited to train with Southgate’s squad prior to the start of the World Cup.
Mount has shown this season that he’s going to score plenty of goals from midfield, however, his overall game has caught most of the attention. He has the best mentor in Lampard and the former Chelsea midfielder will hope the 19-year-old maintains his form for the duration of his loan spell at Pride Park.
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Derby have a special talent on their hands and the fans would certainly be enjoying the way Mount is performing week in and week out. The fans would hope Mount remains consistent throughout the campaign as his form will be vital for the Rams to reach the playoffs.