Frank Lampard: Mason Mount will play for England

Derby County manager Frank Lampard believes young midfielder Mason Mount is ready for an England call-up, despite playing in the Championship.

Gareth Southgate was at Pride Park for Derby County’s 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday, with Mount putting in an impressive performance in front of the Three Lions boss, hitting the crossbar from a free-kick.

And, with Uefa Nations League ties against Croatia and Spain next month, Lampard believes Mount is ready to make the step up to senior international level.

“Mason Mount can do anything he wants, he is that good,” Lampard said (via the Daily Mail). “That’s not to say he will go in and be an England starter in their next game, as it’s Gareth Southgate’s choice.

“But whatever level you put him in, because of his quality, work ethic and mentality – he wants to get better and better – he will do anything he wants to.

“It’s my decision to play him every week and it will be Gareth’s decision, if and when, to pick him for the England team.”

Mount, on loan from Lampard’s former club Chelsea, has already scored four goals and registered an assist in 10 games across all competitions for the Rams this season.

And, despite that being in England’s second tier, Lampard believes players at this level should be given the chance if their form is strong enough, even pointing to Sir Trevor Brooking, who was capped 47 times for England, as a success story.

The former-Chelsea midfielder added: “Championship players should be in the England team if they deserve it. This is a competitive league and most players, as we know at the World Cup for England, come through the Championship in one way, shape or form.

“I’m sure Gareth and Steve Holland are not discounting anybody for any reasons. You go and watch someone on merit and if they play well enough they’re in the squad. Those have always been the rules.

“It never did Trevor Brooking any harm. I grew up watching West Ham win the FA Cup final when they were the old Second Division.”

Lampard has had a mixed start to life in management with his Derby side sitting ninth in the Championship table after eight games, while also being sent off during a 1-0 defeat to Rotherham last weekend.

The Midlands club face Brentford at Pride Park on Saturday.

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