Why Lampard's Chelsea return could be key to Mount's future

James Shearman

• 6 Apr 2023 17:02 BST
• 3 min read

Frank Lampard has returned to Chelsea for a second stint as manager, until the end of the 2022-23 season.

Lampard had 84 games in charge of the Blues between 2019 and 2021 and now takes over as caretaker manager following the sacking of Graham Potter.

A statement on Chelsea's website quoted owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, who said: ''We are delighted to welcome Frank back to Stamford Bridge. Frank is a Premier League Hall of Famer and a legend at this club.

READ MORE: Winners and losers of Frank Lampard returning to Chelsea

"We have an important game against Wolves on Saturday and then we will turn our attention to our Champions League quarter-final in Madrid next week.

''We are all going to give Frank our full backing as we aim to get the best possible outcome from all our remaining games.''

Chelsea are still in negotiations with the likes of Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique to take over full-time in the summer, but Lampard will take over for the remainder of the season.

Why Lampard's Chelsea return could be key to Mount's future

Lampard's appointment could play an important role in Mason Mount's contract negotiations.

Mount's current deal is up at the end of next season and it had looked likely under Graham Potter that he would be sold in the summer transfer window.

The attacking midfielder has struggled for gametime this season and didn't seem to be a big part of Potter's plans, especially after the January signing of Joao Felix.

But Mount was Lampard's main man in his previous time in charge and it is now expected that the 24-year-old will make a return to the starting lineup.

Should he play regularly for the remainder of the season, and find some form, the Chelsea hierarchy could be willing to reward him with the lucrative contract he is looking for.

Club legend Lampard could also play a role in convincing Mount that Chelsea is where his future lies, rather than a fellow Premier League club.

Liverpool and Manchester United had been linked with summer moves for the England international.