It is well known that Declan Rice and Mason Mount are best pals and have been since a very young age when they both played for the Chelsea academy.
But it is also well know that not only Rice, but other professional players, coaches, managers, and other experts in the game all rate Mason Mount highly. Yet there remains to be a small section of Chelsea’s fans on social media who do not rate him, and unfairly abuse him.
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And for this reason, players, managers, etc are always forced to answer questions on why some people don’t rate Mount, and yesterday, it was Rice’s turn.
He was on England press conference duties ahead of the Senegal game, and of course there was always going to be Chelsea related questions.
As reported by The Evening Standard, Rice was full of praise for his England team mate, and says his numbers for Chelsea are incredible.
“I don’t need to talk too much about Mase,” Rice said at England’s Al Wakrah training base on Thursday. “He probably just doesn’t fit the agenda of what people want an attacking midfield player to look like in this day and age.
“He is one of the best players I’ve played with — and I’m not saying that because he’s my best mate. If you see the way he helps the team, I think that’s why Gareth is so keen on him and picks him all the time.
“Not only with the ball, his quality he shows in abundance for England and Chelsea, but the way he is off the ball: you don’t see many number 10s who have that together. He is such a team player, such a hard-working, honest guy.
“Sometimes fans, people online, social media, they just don’t like him. For what reason I honestly don’t know. But, look, his numbers for Chelsea are incredible.
“He’s won the Champions League, won the Super Cup, at such a young age and for the rest of his career, he can go on and be whatever he wants to be. And I know he doesn’t let that noise get to him.
“Look, let Mase go and do his thing. When he’s doing that it makes me happy seeing my good friend go and perform at the best level.”