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The 2018/19 Championship campaign is often regarded as one of the best in the league’s history, and Derby County played a huge role in that.
The Rams reached the play-off final at the end of that season, although they were beaten by Aston Villa at Wembley as the Villains returned to the Premier League.
Frank Lampard, the current Coventry City boss, took charge of the East Midlands outfit in his first year as a manager. With a young and exciting squad, much was expected of the club and that summer proved to be a big one as the Rams looked to return to the top flight for the first time since their record-breaking 2007/08 campaign.
Jack Marriott, Martyn Waghorn and Florian Jozefzoon all made big money moves to Derby, but it was the arrival of three loan signings that really caught the eye of supporters – and Lampard was expectant of one of those.
Frank Lampard expected big things of Mason Mount at Derby County
In July 2018, the Rams announced the double signing of Harry Wilson from Liverpool and Mason Mount from Chelsea on loan deals until the end of the campaign, while Fikayo Tomori joined soon after. They were three incredible prospects, and Lampard was quick to hype up the arrival of Mount.
The former Rams boss said (via: dcfc.com): I’m delighted to get both of these deals done and add players of their quality and calibre to the squad.
“I know Mason really well from my Chelsea links and I have also watched him play in their very successful youth teams. I knew him from those days and I watched him closely at Vitesse, where he took it by storm. His numbers are incredible for an attacking midfield player of his age and it’s a massive coup for me to get him here.”
Lampard continued: “He can bring us creativity in the attacking midfield area, goals, assists as well as energy. He was wanted across Europe by top, top clubs and we should be very happy that we have got him.” The thing about Mason is it’s not just on the pitch. He’s so dedicated and hungry off it too.
“He wants to do well, and he wants to improve. This is a real stage to develop for him and to go out and play at a really competitive level with us. His character and quality are going to be huge for us.”
Mason Mount was crucial to the Rams’ success in 2018/19
It was clear to see from his debut how good Mount was going to be for Derby as he smashed home from distance in a 2-1 away win against Reading on the opening night of the Championship campaign.
He continued to perform, and he proved himself on the big stage in the Carabao Cup against both Manchester United and his parent club Chelsea, with the Rams beating the first of those two clubs on penalties.
Derby reached the play-offs, with Lampard’s rivalry with Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds United still fondly remembered as one of the Championship’s very best. Mount once again played his role, finding the back of the net in the second leg as his team reached Wembley in a 4-3 aggregate win.
Without the attacking midfielder, the Rams would not have hit the heights that they did in 2018/19, but there will always be a tinge of regret that he was not able to help the club over the line. Yet, it must be said that Lampard was right with his assessment of the then teenager.