Ashley Cole is a huge admirer of Mason Mount and believes the England midfielder has become Chelsea’s ‘best player’.
Mount was the match winner on Thursday as his sublime strike was enough to beat Liverpool and help Thomas Tuchel’s side climb into the Premier League top-four.
It was another high-energy and quality display from the 22-year-old, who has won over new manager Tuchel having previously earned the trust of the former coach Frank Lampard.
Cole, the former Chelsea and Arsenal defender, now believes the England international is the ‘first name on the team sheet’ and believes he is a contender to be their captain next campaign.
‘I’ve been with him at Derby, I’ve watched him at Chelsea,’ Cole told Sky Sports after the 1-0 victory. ‘I’ve seen the dedication, the hard work, the graft he puts in. Not just in the training session but after.
‘For me, he’s the best player for Chelsea and the first name on the team sheet. He added: ‘What he produced today was brilliant. He’s one of the most focal players in this team. He presses with intensity.
‘He is the one who initiates the press. He’s got the movement. He’s got the understanding. And he’s adding goals to his game.
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‘What a player he is. He’s got that attitude. Definitely next season he’ll be pushing for captaincy.’
