Former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard does not believe he is the main reason why Mason Mount is a star at the club.
Mount came through at Chelsea under Lampard's guidance, previously playing for the former midfielder during a loan spell at Derby County.
But Lampard believes that Mount is such an exceptional footballer that he would have come through the ranks regardless of who was in charge at the time.
He told the Daily Mail: "I'm positive he would have made it. Mason is different. It's not just talent – it's work ethic and desire. He is a tough kid.
"Whether he would have come through, played 50-plus games last season and really accelerated his improvement which has seen him become one of the best players in the Premier League, I'm not sure.
"It would have been easy for me to send Mason on loan. That pathway can work. But I decided that Mason needed backing and was ready to play at the top level."
