Frank Lampard was very quick to stress the significance of Mason Mount at Chelsea when appointed as the club's interim manager until the end of the season.
"Mason has always been a fantastic player for me at Derby and Chelsea," Lampard said in his first press conference upon his return. "I know he's had a few slight injury problems. I need to speak to him and find out where he's at, but I know what I get from Mason. He's a huge player for Chelsea.
"Modern-day football has big squads and I understand Chelsea might be at the top end. I remember being here before and having that. Maybe in the short-term, that's a positive thing for me because everyone can have a clean slate."
READ MORE: Every word from Frank Lampard on his Chelsea role, Mason Mount, the squad and Champions League
Mount does need a "clean slate" because the 24-year-old hasn't kicked a football in a competitive game for Chelsea since February's 2-0 defeat to Tottenham. The England international missed three games with a pelvis injury but returned to the squad for the defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend. However, Mount was not used from the bench in Graham Potter's last game and it was the same situation for when the Blues drew with Liverpool earlier in the week.
There is constant speculation regarding Mount's future at Stamford Bridge. He has just over 12 months remaining on his Chelsea contract and the summer looks to be a really significant one for his future. Liverpool are the current front-runners for his signature, football.london understands, with the Reds doing some serious groundwork to try and fend off competition to sign the English midfielder.
Even though Lampard has arrived on a short-term contract, his reign could have some way in deciding the future for Mount. The Cobham graduate was such a big part of Lampard's first spell at Stamford Bridge, making 82 appearances in his season-and-a-half in charge of the club, scoring 11 goals and providing 12 assists along the way.
There is a standoff at the moment regarding Mount's contract. The midfielder's entourage want a wage packet that reflects his significance to the club following his impressive performances over the seasons. However, this season he has not been up to the standards he has set in recent years.
It's understood Chelsea and Mount are no closer to agreeing an extension on his contract and with Todd Boehly and the new ownership group's stance on those in the latter stages of their deals, this summer could see the midfielder moved on. Liverpool are looking to take advantage of the situation with Jurgen Klopp said to be a huge admirer of Mount's talents.
It seems almost inevitable that Mount will now get a run in the side again with Lampard in charge, so it's up to the England international to prove his significance to Chelsea in the remaining games of the season. If it gets to the summer and he hasn't been able to do that, then it does seem increasingly likely that the two will part ways.
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