Premier League: How Mason Mount became a key player for Chelsea and England under Frank Lampard

There are some times in football in which a problematic condition can really turn to your advantage. This appears to be the situation this time at Chelsea. They were given a transfer ban for apparent irregularities in their signing of academy performers.

To composite, this is the end of last term saw the Italian coach Maurizio Sarri coming back to Italy to take over at Juventus. Football fans from around the world can purchase Premier League Football Tickets online to enjoy its stunning performances.

This directed to the selection of Frank Lampard as a coach and despite his status as a club star for his playing successes, there was still some hesitation around his ability as a coach despite a promising first season with Derby County.

What has risen out so far this term with Chelsea has been the quantity for first-team minutes given to young players this is no hesitation a direct result of their transmission ban and the likes of Tammy Abraham, Fiyako Tomori, Callum Hudson Odoi, and Reece James has all featured so far.

Last season we saw Mount devote the season on loan under the coaching of Frank Lampard and his associate Jody Morris who had coached Mount in the Chelsea youth system. He did well enough to propose that he would be given a chance to show his skill for his parent club this season but rare would have forecast the impact that he has had.

Statistical Analysis

So far this term we have seen Mount play 1048 minutes in the Premier League for Chelsea. He has previously registered four goals and one assist in that time but it is the original statistics that are more impressive.

He is presently registering 2.83 shots and 1.98 key passes per 90 minutes. Along with this, he has 4, 67 tolerant passes and 3.11 dribbles per 90.

These figures paint the picture of a young player with the best potential. It is all the more inspiring that he is registering these numbers in his first top-flight season.

Counter pressing

Whereas we have not seen a clear pledge pressing style of play assumed by Chelsea under Lampard, it is still perfect that Mount is one of the most active players in the team when out of possession.

This is particularly true when the opposition is observing to build out from the back. Mount is dishonestly quick and uses his speed over short distances to rapidly close down opponents who think that they are getting the ball in space and with time.

This form of persistent when out of control is done across the width of the pitch with Mount often being the player who leads the press as Abraham keeps energy ahead of him.

Intelligent use of the ball

Whereas working intelligently out of tenure is not something that we would essentially expect from every top-level midfielder the capability to use the ball intelligently is.

Mount is an artistic and keen passer of the ball who uses positions well in playing through the lines of the opposition. Mount is outstanding when finding pockets of space in the opposition defensive block in which he can take the ball.

When taking control of the ball between the lines of the opposition in this manner Mount is posing huge questions of the defensive players around them.

Moving to mark him before the ball is played would force them to leave their intended defensive position and this would weaken the overall defensive structure.

If they wait for the ball to be played into Mount though then a player with quality can cause significant problems in these areas. We see a situation like this above as Mount has taken up an intelligent position in between four Wolves players.

As the ball is played into his feet, he will be closed down but he is intelligent enough to pause to attract the pressure before turning the ball around the corner to Willian who can move forward unopposed.

This time the situation is slightly different as Mount drives through the midfield in possession of the ball.

As he does he beats the first line of midfield pressure and moves forward to engage the two defensive players in the last line.

Press resistance and dribbling

For a midfield player, the ability to receive the ball and then keep possession under pressure especially for a midfield player who, like Mount, tends to be positioned in the opposition final third. This ability is known as press resistance and is a key characteristic of modern midfielders.

We see an example of this press resistance above. As Chelsea progress, the ball forward the pass initially goes into the feet of Abraham before he sets it back to Mount who is positioned just off of his shoulder.

As soon as the ball comes into the feet of Mount in this position the opposition press collapses on to him. He comes under extreme pressure very quickly but is able to retain possession and then pass the ball to release the attacking player who is moving up on the outside.

Mount is also comfortable when driving forward into space with the ball at his feet. We see an example of this above as he has already carried the ball down the outside.

Conclusion

There is a very real chance that was it not for the transfer ban then Mount would have played significantly fewer minutes this season than he has so far.

The situation with Chelsea this season is a fascinating one and provided an insight into what can be achieved when clubs are willing to or are forced to, give young players a chance.

Realistically what have the likes of Mount and Abraham saved Chelsea in the transfer market? Likely upwards of £100million:

Mount has taken his chance with the first team with both hands and is well on his way to firmly establishing himself as a key player for the club.

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