Frank Lampard tipped Mason Mount to go to the top of the game after his third goal of the season set Derby on course for a 2-0 win over Preston.
The on-loan Chelsea midfielder also took the corner that Richard Keogh headed in for Derby’s second.
Mount’s display caught the eye of Blues legend Lampard, who believes the 19-year-old can be “top, top level” and a genuine “contender” for his parent club when he returns to Stamford Bridge.
“They were getting a bit rough with him in the first part of the game, they were getting tough with him and I wanted him to react and the best way to react is with a goal so credit to him,” Lampard said.
“He can be really good, he can be top, top level because he’s 19 and plays with ability and quality, technically he’s brilliant but also his work-rate shouldn’t go unnoticed.
“He’s so quick to leave midfield to go and press people whether it be defenders or deep-lying midfield players which makes you the all-round midfield player.
“He should never be considered a number 10 because there’s so much more to his game but he’ll score goals like a number 10.
“At some stage he will go back to Chelsea, I don’t want to think about that now, but when he does I think he’s going to be a contender.”
Derby’s win, their third of the season, leaves the Rams with nine points from five games.