Chelsea boss Lampard warns Mason Mount ‘the hard work starts here’ after electric start to season

FRANK LAMPARD has warned new Chelsea and England sensation Mason Mount “the hard work starts here” – because the focus is now be on the ex-Derby loanee.

Blues boss Lampard says the midfielder has thrust himself under a fierce microscope by starting the season so well, including winning his first two caps.

Mount helped Lamps’ Derby reach the Championship play-offs last term before winning a regular place back at Stamford Bridge under the same manager this campaign.

The 20-year-old then looked at home coming off the bench twice as England beat Bulgaria 4-0 and Kosovo 5-3 in Euro 2020 qualifiers.

And the Mirror report Lampard as saying: “Now I would say the hard work begins.

“This is where the scrutiny ramps up. He came on and I thought he did well in both games for the minutes he played.

“He looked bright as we expect Mason to be. Now he needs to go up the gears and continue his progression because I think there is a lot more.”

Chelsea legend Lampard, who himself won 106 England caps, is “really proud” of Mount for rising through the ranks after joining the Blues aged six.

Mount shone in season-long loans with both Dutch top-flight club Vitesse and Derby before his huge breakthrough this season.

And Lamps said: “The work he has put in since he was a young boy – we have all seen the pictures of him in a young Chelsea kit years ago.

“His dreams have come true on two levels – making his full debut for us and England now.”