Frank Lampard has defended his recent team selection, insiting players are there on merit.
The Chelsea manager was bold with his starting XI against Manchester United, handing starts to academy graduates Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham in the 4-0 defeat.
But ahead of the Super Cup game against Liverpool, Lampard admitted he is a ‘huge fan’ of Mount.
Jose Mourinho, working as a Sky Sports pundit, used his position in the studio to single out the inexperienced pair for criticism.
Lampard, though, says he selects the XI he feels is best suited to win.
“I pick the best team to win the game, regardless of age,” he said.
“Mount deserves his chance on merit, I won’t fear to play young players. In terms of how we set up, I really liked some of our aggressive off the ball work. We have to be adaptable and respect the strengths of our opponents. There may be subtle changes of our approach.
“I will have no fears to play players because of their age. They will always have a chance.
“We won the ball back a lot versus United and it was more we didn’t finish the chances we got that we lost the game.”
He added: “With Mason Mount, I don’t like to compare, particularly with myself, I can talk about him myself and he has a great work ethic and it’s important about how we want to play. Scoring goals he will step up levels as he develops, I’m a huge fan of his.”
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Lampard worked closely with Mount last season at Derby, where the midfielder excelled as The Rams narrowly missed out on a place in the Premier League.
The player could be given a chance to play in the no.10 role once again, despite the impressive pre-season performances of Ross Barkley, who had to play in a unfamiliar wide role on Sunday.
It is the first time two English sides have contested the Super Cup and the Premier League has not had a winner since Liverpool beat CSKA Moscow in 2005.
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