Chelsea manager Lampard tells Mason Mount's critics to take a step back.

Lampard was pleased with how Mason Mount performed at the Roazhon Park stadium.

Mason Mount embraces Hudon-Odoi [Getty]

FT: Rennes 1-2 Chelsea.

'The negative talk around Mason Mount needs to go away.'

Those were the words of Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, who was pleased with how England international Mason Mount performed in the Blues' 2-1 win against Rennes on Tuesday night.

The 21-year-old was vital in Chelsea's Champions League triumph over the French club, assisting Callum Hudson Odoi in breaking the deadlock with a 'top class' pass in the 22nd minute.

Mount had been criticised after Jack Grealish was dropped for him in Gareth Southgate's England starting XI recently.

But Lampard, who managed Mount during his time at Derby County two seasons ago, said the young midfielder is on the right track and is improving.

When Lampard was quizzed about Mason Mount's performance at the Roazhon Park stadium last night, he told BT Sport: "I'm really pleased. With Mason there's been a lot of talk and any negative talk just needs to go away. I've been lucky enough to be closer to him and what he did at Derby and last season has been outstanding.

"I'm not going to undermine the quality he has and when we have two number eights he's got all the qualities - I think he can get more goals and assists.

"The pass for Callum Hudson Odoi's goal was top class. You saw Kai [Havertz] coming on too, we need to keep that competition. 

"I actually don't speak to him too much. We have a good relationship, not as close as some think. He knows I'm here if he needs any guidance but it's the social media world, in the modern-day world we all have opinions and want different things from players.

"It should only be what I think, the players think and proper Chelsea fans think of him. The conversation just needs to move on, there's nothing to make of it."

When quizzed about Callum Hudson-Odoi's current form, Lampard responded: "I'm happy. I knew he'd had a couple of good performances last week for the under 21s and I know he wants more minutes. It's not cut and dry, he's still developing and he came off the back of a really bad injury.

"There's loads of great things about Callum and things he can improve, he's a big player for Chelsea and got a big future for Chelsea. His all-round performance was great tonight."

Goalscorer Hudson-Odoi told added: "Everybody is playing well at the moment but we want to keep improving. 

"I need to take each opportunity I get when I'm in the team. I want to keep getting goals and assists and working hard for the team. I'm happy with the three points."

Speaking of his opening goal, he said: "I know Mason [Mount], he works really hard and presses well in the middle of the pitch so as soon as he got the ball I knew I was in-front of the full-back, and his vision is amazing and he'd pick me out so I got in there and got the goal."

When asked about the London derby against Spurs this weekend, Odoi replied: "We'll go in there trying to win, we're confident and playing well at the moment. We've got to recover well and hopefully get the win there."

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