Derby boss Frank Lampard challenges Mason Mount to surpass his 106 England caps
Thursday 11 October 2018 00:05, UK
Frank Lampard has challenged Mason Mount to eclipse his own England career.
The 19-year-old received his first senior international call-up for the Nations League fixtures against Croatia and Spain, which are live on Sky Sports, having shone in Lampard's Derby side.
Mount is on loan at Pride Park from Chelsea after spending last season on a similar agreement at Vitesse Arnhem.
He has already scored five goals for the Rams and has been an ever-present so far this campaign.
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Lampard broke the news to Mount about his England call-up after calling him into his office - but only after jokingly telling him he planned to drop him.
Mount said: "He's obviously got over 100 caps so he said to see if I can break that. It was the first thing he said to me.
"He's given me loads of advice so far and I'm just trying to take it all in. It's a long season so I'm going to learn so much off him.
"For me personally, learning off someone that's done so well in the game, as a midfielder I can learn so much off him and I have done so far.
"I actually found out before he pulled me in the office. He was sitting in there with (assistant manager) Jody Morris... he said he was thinking of looking to drop me for the next game, and maybe give me a rest.
"He dropped that first but then he smiled and said, 'No, I've just spoken to Gareth, you've been selected for the seniors'.
Mount was invited by Gareth Southgate to train with the England squad for four days before they jetted off to Russia for the World Cup last summer.
He admits that experience only made him more determined to return on a more full-time basis as he looks to become the first outfield Championship player to earn an England cap since Cardiff's Jay Bothroyd in 2010.
"One hundred per cent, coming in before the World Cup, training for four days, it made me hungrier to get into the squad," he added.
"Being selected for the U21s was a massive achievement for me and it was a goal.
"You get to know the staff, the players, being in and around the meetings, it is definitely a step up.
"They are playing Champions League football, they are playing Premier League football, they are the top, top players in the world so it is a step up.
"But when I get on the pitch I try to play my football and to be tactically and mentally ready."
