'TOP-LEVEL' MASON IS A TRUE BLUE

Lampard defends under-fire star

- Tony Banks

FRANK LAMPARD last night dismissed critics of Mason Mount and labelled the Chelsea midfielder “already a top-level player”. 

The England midfielder has had an injury-hit year, scoring only three club goals, with the Blues on their third manager of the campaign and 11th in the Premier League.

The two-time Chelsea Player of the Year, who is still only 24, made his breakthrough as a teenager on loan at Derby under Lampard and was propelled into the first team at Stamford Bridge by the former England star.

But Mount is now in the middle of a contract wrangle with Chelsea, wanting a deal that will put him level with the higher earners at the club, with only a year left on his agreement.