Stoke City must stop Mason Mount of Derby County

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Mason Mount of Derby County in action during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Chelsea and Derby County at Stamford Bridge on October 31, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Mason Mount of Derby County in action during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Chelsea and Derby County at Stamford Bridge on October 31, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The implications of Stoke City’s clash with Derby County are serious, win and Stoke City will move closer to the playoff places and Rowett’s position as Stoke City manager looks untenable, particularly when Peter Coates just a few weeks ago said that promotion was the goal. To win, Stoke City will simply have to stop Mason Mount from running the game he sees fit.

There is no doubt that Mason Mount is destined to be a star, he already has been called up to the senior England national team and has been truly impressive, playing with the vigour and energy that Stoke City fans long to see in their players yet currently are not seeing that. Gary Rowett is no dummy and he will know that if Stoke City are to get the win they so desperately need and desire, Mount, will have to be marked at all times like Jorginho was in the recent London Derby.

Mason Mount usually plays on the left-hand-side of Derby County’s 4-3-3 formation, but its clear Frank Lampard has given Mount a free role to roam and drift along, similar to Eden Hazard and David Silva. With his passing range, its clear Lampard sees Mount as the playmaker in his young Derby side and Mount has risen to the occasion perfectly, he has scored 3 goals and assisted on one goal but don’t let his figures fool you, he is the man producing the pass that leads to an assist or winning games for Derby with a fierce shot from outside the box like his manager and idol Frank Lampard.

Ashley Williams recently said he lives for clean sheets, well the biggest obstacle to getting that clean sheet is Mason Mount.