Derby County manager Frank Lampard has utilised his Chelsea connections by signing highly-rated teenage midfielder Mason Mount on a season-long loan, as well as Liverpool winger Harry Wilson.
Mount, 19, enjoyed a stellar breakthrough season in the Eredivisie with Dutch outfit Vitesse last term, helping the club clinch a commendable sixth-place finish as well as securing a slot in the Europa League for the forthcoming campaign.
Such was the imperious form of the Portsmouth-born midfielder that Vitesse’s former club captain Guram Kashia previously labelled the youngster the best Chelsea loanee he has witnessed at the club.
His comments will come as no small feat for Mount as the Dutch outfit act as a feeder club for the Blues, meaning the former skipper would have seen the likes of Nemanja Matic and Patrick van Aanholt pass through the club on a temporary basis.
Lampard is currently taking his formative steps into football management, after he took the reigns at Pride Park at the end of May following the loss of former manager Gary Rowett, who took the helm at Stoke City following their relegation from the Premier League.
Speaking to dcfc.co.uk, Lampard said: “I’m delighted to get both of these deals done and add players of their quality and calibre to the squad. “I know Mason really well from my Chelsea links and I have also watched him play in their very successful youth teams.
“I knew him from those days and I watched him closely at Vitesse, where he took it by storm.
“His numbers are incredible for an attacking midfield player of his age and it’s a massive coup for me to get him here.
“He can bring us creativity in the attacking midfield area, goals, assists as well as energy. He was wanted across Europe by top, top, clubs and we should be very happy that we have got him.”
Mount, 19, enjoyed a stellar breakthrough season in the Eredivisie with Dutch outfit Vitesse last term, helping the club clinch a commendable sixth-place finish as well as securing a slot in the Europa League for the forthcoming campaign.
Such was the imperious form of the Portsmouth-born midfielder that Vitesse’s former club captain Guram Kashia previously labelled the youngster the best Chelsea loanee he has witnessed at the club.
His comments will come as no small feat for Mount as the Dutch outfit act as a feeder club for the Blues, meaning the former skipper would have seen the likes of Nemanja Matic and Patrick van Aanholt pass through the club on a temporary basis.
Lampard is currently taking his formative steps into football management, after he took the reigns at Pride Park at the end of May following the loss of former manager Gary Rowett, who took the helm at Stoke City following their relegation from the Premier League.
Speaking to dcfc.co.uk, Lampard said: “I’m delighted to get both of these deals done and add players of their quality and calibre to the squad. “I know Mason really well from my Chelsea links and I have also watched him play in their very successful youth teams.
“I knew him from those days and I watched him closely at Vitesse, where he took it by storm.
“His numbers are incredible for an attacking midfield player of his age and it’s a massive coup for me to get him here.
“He can bring us creativity in the attacking midfield area, goals, assists as well as energy. He was wanted across Europe by top, top, clubs and we should be very happy that we have got him.”
Lampard added: “The thing about Mason is it’s not just on the pitch. He’s so dedicated and hungry off it too.
“He wants to do well, and he wants to improve. This is a real stage to develop for him and to go out and play at a really competitive level with us. His character and quality are going to be huge for us.”
Lampard has now completed his first and second signings as manager of Derby County after he held positive talks with Mount last week, but the move stalled due to the west London club’s uncertain managerial situation.
With that now resolved, the deal has finally gone through, and it will be seen as a massive coup for The Rams, as Mount scored 14 league goals last season, as well as registering 10 assists in both the Eredivisie as well as in Europe.
Mount featured 38 times last season for The pride of Gelderland, netting an exceptional hat-trick against Den Haag, while also clinching the Player of the Season award in a truly exceptional maiden campaign.
“He wants to do well, and he wants to improve. This is a real stage to develop for him and to go out and play at a really competitive level with us. His character and quality are going to be huge for us.”
Lampard has now completed his first and second signings as manager of Derby County after he held positive talks with Mount last week, but the move stalled due to the west London club’s uncertain managerial situation.
With that now resolved, the deal has finally gone through, and it will be seen as a massive coup for The Rams, as Mount scored 14 league goals last season, as well as registering 10 assists in both the Eredivisie as well as in Europe.
Mount featured 38 times last season for The pride of Gelderland, netting an exceptional hat-trick against Den Haag, while also clinching the Player of the Season award in a truly exceptional maiden campaign.
His sensational form also drew the
attention of England manager Gareth Southgate, who invited him to train
with the first-team squad ahead of the World Cup.
In fact, Mount further enjoyed part of his summer in Russia with the England squad as a guest of sponsor Nike, alongside highly-coveted youngsters Ryan Sessegnon and Phil Foden.
Winner of the European U19 Championships’ Player of the Tournament in 2017 and Chelsea’s 2017 Academy Player of the Year, the midfielder was mooted to break into the Blues first-team this season, but he will now have to prove his worth on English soil before Maurizio Sarri will give him a chance.
In fact, Mount further enjoyed part of his summer in Russia with the England squad as a guest of sponsor Nike, alongside highly-coveted youngsters Ryan Sessegnon and Phil Foden.
Winner of the European U19 Championships’ Player of the Tournament in 2017 and Chelsea’s 2017 Academy Player of the Year, the midfielder was mooted to break into the Blues first-team this season, but he will now have to prove his worth on English soil before Maurizio Sarri will give him a chance.
Mount primarily operates in central
midfield, but he possesses an attacking propensity that allows him to
surge up the field and contribute in the final third, transitioning from
a central midfield axis to the No.10 role.
His versatility and set-piece expertise will add some much-needed quality to Lampard’s new-look Derby side, as he prepares The Rams for a tough fixture against Reading on the opening day of the Championship season on August 3.
A host of Championship clubs were reportedly queuing up to secure the Welshman’s services after the 21-year-old enjoyed a productive season with Hull City last season.
His versatility and set-piece expertise will add some much-needed quality to Lampard’s new-look Derby side, as he prepares The Rams for a tough fixture against Reading on the opening day of the Championship season on August 3.
Double delight for Lampard
Another highly-rated youngster has secured a move to Derby with Liverpool winger Harry Wilson joining the ranks at Pride Park, signing on a season-long loan.A host of Championship clubs were reportedly queuing up to secure the Welshman’s services after the 21-year-old enjoyed a productive season with Hull City last season.
The Wrexham-born winger scored an
impressive seven league goals in only 13 appearances for The Tigers as
he lit up the KCOM Stadium during his short stint.
Speaking about Wilson’s arrival, Lampard also said: “Harry brings incredible quality and hunger to the table here and he showed that last year while he was on loan at Hull. He’s a full international too and he has a real desire to come here and improve.
“He’s going to be a crucial player for us. I keep talking about creativity and the importance of trying to excite the fans and he’s the sort of player that can do that with the quality that he has.
“For himself too, to have a year at this level and feel an important player at an important club, that will be important.
“Hopefully it’s a great platform for him, but on a selfish note, we have got ourselves a real quality player.”
Wilson famously shot to prominence after making his international debut for Wales as a 16-year-old in 2013 against Belgium, despite the youngster having not yet played a senior match at club level.
He would ultimately have to wait five years for his next cap which came in March earlier this year, as he scored in a friendly against China on his 21st birthday.
Wilson will add some serious firepower to Lampard’s attacking line, and along with Mount, the duo will bring creativity in abundance.
Speaking about Wilson’s arrival, Lampard also said: “Harry brings incredible quality and hunger to the table here and he showed that last year while he was on loan at Hull. He’s a full international too and he has a real desire to come here and improve.
“He’s going to be a crucial player for us. I keep talking about creativity and the importance of trying to excite the fans and he’s the sort of player that can do that with the quality that he has.
“For himself too, to have a year at this level and feel an important player at an important club, that will be important.
“Hopefully it’s a great platform for him, but on a selfish note, we have got ourselves a real quality player.”
Wilson famously shot to prominence after making his international debut for Wales as a 16-year-old in 2013 against Belgium, despite the youngster having not yet played a senior match at club level.
He would ultimately have to wait five years for his next cap which came in March earlier this year, as he scored in a friendly against China on his 21st birthday.
Wilson will add some serious firepower to Lampard’s attacking line, and along with Mount, the duo will bring creativity in abundance.
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