Lampard leaps to the defence of 'clean cut' Mount

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has praised Mason Mount for his 'clean cut' attitude off the pitch as he continues to impress for club and country.

Lampard's side are preparing for a Champions League match away at Rennes on Tuesday night that could see them secure qualification to the knockout stages should Sevilla beat Krasnador in the other Group E game.

The Blues boss, alongside England manager Gareth Southgate, has been criticised on social media over potential favouritism for the Chelsea academy graduate, but Lampard said that the midfielder's ability to keep it simple makes him a great asset.

'Every individual is different and I don't think its necessarily because he came through the academy,' he said in his pre-match press conference.

'But listen I think we have a huge fanbase and the social media world has changed the way people critique or look at football and it is easy for someone to sit on a phone and make harsh statements.

'With Mason, there is something about him that is clean cut, I think there is just one advert where he takes his top off, that is as edgy as Mason gets. He doesn't do too many stopovers or flicks over the back of his head like he shouldn't do.

'He makes really efficient, clean sharp passes, he presses as well as any midfield player I've worked with or played alongside. I think he is very easy and casual because he doesn't have an Instagram reel of those kind of flicks and it's a different type of football and it's easy for people to bracket him off.'

Mount has become a pivotal figure in Southgate's Three Lions squad as they prepare for Euro 2020 next summer.

Aston Villa's Jack Grealish has also broken into the national side and naturally fans have started to compare the two creative midfielders.

Despite the praise, Lampard insisted that Mount still has room to improve after receiving jibes as fans label the 21-year-old as 'Frank Lampard's son'.

He added: 'When I say that I don't want to add fuel to the fire about him being my son because I am so positive about him because I know he has a lot to improve on.

'That's what takes you onto his attitude and wanting to improve. He can score more goals, he can make more assists but he is quality, quality football player that will only get better and that's how I feel about him.

'Make no mistake Mason Mount or any player in this squad will not be getting any favouritism when it comes to picking this squad we need to have a driven competition among everyone in this squad and midfield areas I have options.

'So it is competitive for everyone and no-one gets the edge of me apart from how they train or perform.'