Frank Lampard praises Mason Mount after Chelsea beat Rennes and asks fans to stop criticising him

Frank Lampard was full of praise for Mason Mount in Chelsea‘s 2-1 Champions League win over Rennes on Tuesday and has called for criticism of him to stop.

Mount laid on a superb assist for the Blues’ opening goal which was finished by Callum Hudson-Odoi with an equally good finish in the first-half at Roazhon Park.

The 21-year-old has been the subject of criticism by fans of the England national team who believe Gareth Southgate is denying Jack Grealish more minutes by selecting the Chelsea midfielder in recent week.

Mason Mount played a key role as Chelsea beat Rennes 2-1 in Tuesday’s Champions League tie

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard praised Mount for his display in France on Tuesday night

But Lampard, who also managed Mount during his one season at Derby County two seasons ago, has offered his support to the young midfielder if he needs advice.

The Chelsea boss told BT Sport after the game: ‘I have a good relationship with Mason. Not as close as some people think and he knows that I’m there if he wants any guidance.

‘With Mason there’s been talk and it’s got to go away. I’m lucky to know him well at Derby in his breakthrough season in the Championship and he’s been outstanding with the way he works off the ball. I’m not going to undermine that and he has all the attributes to arrive high up the pitch and score more goals and make more assists.’

Mount (right) laid on an assist for Callum Hudson-Odoi’s opening goal in the first-half

BT Sport pundit Joe Cole, who also works as an academy coach at Chelsea, also called for fans to stop criticising Mount over his displays.

Cole said: ‘When you see people criticising Mason Mount, who are they? Because he’s been sublime from the start of the season.’

The assist at Rennes was Mount’s fourth of the season in all competitions after 14 games, with his form at Stamford Bridge promoting him to a key figure at international level with England.

After frustrating England fans by selecting Mount over Grealish in the past two international breaks, both players started all three of England’s matches in November.

Lampard has demanded that criticism of Mount stops after his encouraging Chelsea displays

Mount (left) was criticised after Jack Grealish (right) was dropped for him in the England squad

Lampard demanded that fans leave Mount to continue performing well at this level but also reminded the midfielder about the intense competition for places in the Chelsea squad.

‘It’s the modern world with social media and for me the way Mason plays he knows how good he is. We all have opinions. Let’s talk about how good Mason is and let’s let him get on with it.

‘The assist like he made tonight was top-class. I’ve got good options in midfield and you see Kai Havertz doing well despite being in isolation and we have to keep competition high in that area.’

Gareth Southgate (right) played both Mount (left) and Grealish in all three November matches

Lampard’s Blues qualified for the Champions League knockout stages with victory at Rennes, but the west Londoners were made to work for their victory by the French side.

Hudson-Odoi’s opener was cancelled out by Serhou Guirassy’s equaliser with five minutes remaining but substitute Olivier Giroud netted the winner with a header inside the penalty area as the clock ticked into stoppage time.