MASON MAGICAL MOUNT: THOMAS TUCHEL PROVES THE 'TEACHERS PET' REFERENCES ARE WILDY INACCURATE

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There is no doubt that Mason Mount has been a standout performer in the Premier League this season.

He has impressed beyond most people’s wildest expectations after Many held the belief that he was simply just a favourite of Frank Lampard, after the duo worked together at Derby County but Mount has proved that he made himself a certain starter through his talent.

Conversations were certainly had about how Mount would fare under Chelsea’s newest manager Thomas Tuchel. If he really was just a personal favourite of Lampard’s, surely he wouldn’t fare well under new management?

Well, this assumption was definitely wrong as Mount has thrived under Tuchel’s management.

Initially Mount was left out of the starting XI in Tuchel’s first game at Chelsea but since then the 22-year-old has been an extremely important player for system the German coach likes to play.

Alongside this, Tuchel followed his predecessor and gave Mount the arm band in the FA cup victory over Sheffield United last month.

This speaks volumes about the trust and belief that Tuchel holds for Mount. Taking this step so early in his career will certainly aid him in his efforts to be a Chelsea legend.

Being so young and captaining a side rife with players who are older and are more experienced than you means you need to demand respect, something Mount definitely does.

Whether the respect stems from his lifelong stint at Chelsea, his talent or how likeable he is, it’s completely justified.

Mount’s impressive performances for Chelsea earnt him an England call up for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. Back in November 2020 Mount faced plenty of criticism after he was starting for England ahead of Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish.

The assumption was made that not only was he a ‘teachers pet’ for Frank Lampard, he was also one for Gareth Southgate. The accusation of preferential treatment has not been justified however, as he has put in many top performances for England.

In the qualifiers, he has impressed. He scored England’s second goal against Albania after a beautiful set up from Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane. Southgate raved about Mount’s performances, labelling him as an “exceptional player”. Southgate even acknowledged the fact that many believed Mount was subjected to preferential treatment under Lampard.

Speaking to the BBC, Southgate said: "I suppose now Thomas Tuchel picks him probably everybody will agree. When it was Frank it didn't count for some reason but he's an exceptional player.”

Mount has more than proved that he is a talent within his own right. His ability to find space where others can’t, his chance creation and ball manipulation are just some of the reasons that Chelsea fans have been raving about the young Englishman since his loan days at Vitesse.

The youngster has solidified himself a starting spot for both club and country and kept his head up after plenty of unjustified criticism. Mount is definitely going to be around for a very long time.