Mason Mount rates his debut season in Chelsea’s first team ahead of FA Cup final

Mason Mount has given himself a seven out of 10 rating for his debut season in Chelsea’s first team, citing a need to improve his goal tally.

The 21-year-old has been one of the standout performers for the Blues this campaign, starting in 37 out of 38 Premier League games and registering seven goals and five assists.

Mount joined Chelsea at the age of six and after rising through the youth levels was sent out on loan to Eredivisie side Vitesse for one season and then Derby County for another year, where he linked up with Frank Lampard.

Lampard has shown his faith in the west London club’s gifted youth products including Mount, Tammy Abraham and Reece James, who all contributed to landing the Blues fourth spot and their place in next year’s Champions League.

When quizzed about how his first season on the senior stage at Chelsea has gone, the England international acknowledged that he has enjoyed a promising start, but, his aim has always been to hit double figures for goals.

‘It’s difficult,’ Mount told The Guardian. ‘But because I have got seven goals I will give myself seven out of 10.

‘I’m a big self-critic and I know there is room for improvement.

‘It’s gone well. I always speak to my dad before a season starts and we set goals and one of those was 10 goals. Dad’s very hard on me and is my biggest critic, so 10 is always going to be the target.

‘He has said that my whole life. If you are averaging 10 goals as a midfielder you are having a good season.’

Mount has earned the most game time in the Premier League out of all of Chelsea’s youngsters, however, Lampard wasn’t afraid to substitute his star midfielder at half-time of their 1-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Leicester City.

‘I had a chat with the gaffer and learned something,’ Mount added. ‘That’s what development is about. I’m going to learn from every obstacle. He obviously made the right decision and changed a few positions.

‘He is massive on the competition side of things, especially in training. A lot of the focus is on training. If you train really well you will start.

‘One minute he can put his arm around you and tell you you have been doing well. Then if he doesn’t think you have he will take you off and you will know about it. He has definitely got that side to him.’

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