Frank Lampard has backed Mason Mount to shrug off penalty frustration and remain a big player for Chelsea - as the Blues boss admits he could let some stars leave Stamford Bridge.
A major transfer spree has seen Chelsea bolster their squad significantly since last season and while Mount may remain integral to Lampard's plans, some others may need to leave to find regular football.
It could mean players such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek or Fikayo Tomori, both full England internationals, leave on loan before the Premier League transfer window closes on Monday.
"With every player, if it's a loan you have to work out what's best for the player, what's best for the club," Lampard said. "I would consider something for all of them but we'll broach player by player. Once the window shuts, every player here will be used. We'll know more Monday."
Lampard said it was not a question of "thinning out" but he accepted Chelsea's squad is large.
It could be that Antonio Rudiger is another to leave before the deadline, with the German defender having been linked recently to Tottenham, but Lampard stressed there were "no more developments" in his case.
Mount should rest assured that Lampard considers him a major player for Chelsea's future, and for the present.
The 21-year-old midfielder has started all three of Chelsea's Premier League games so far, but he was the man to miss from 12 yards in Tuesday's penalty shoot-out in the EFL Cup as Chelsea lost 5-4 to Tottenham on spot-kicks after a 1-1 draw.
Lampard said a penalty miss for Mount in that competition was "par for the course", saying: "He'll go on to play many more games, much more important games."
There is no doubt in Lampard's mind that Mount should put the disappointment in context and move on. Chelsea are back in action against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.
"Everybody rallied around Mason as they would when anyone misses. I've been on both sides. His biggest disappointment is the feeling that he may have let us down - absolutely the opposite," Lampard said.
"He's been fantastic for us over the last 18 months."
