MY ACCOUNT
Mason Mount has been one of the standout performers of Graham Potter’s impressive start to his reign as Chelsea boss.
The England midfielder, 23, was one of many underperforming Blues stars prior to Thomas Tuchel’s sacking in September.
But he has reminded everyone of his talents in recent weeks with an impressive double in a 2-0 win over Aston Villa helping his side to their fifth win in six games under the new boss.
Ahead of Chelsea’s trip across West London to face Brentford tonight, we turn the spotlight on Mount’s resurgence with just over a month until the World Cup kicks off.
Mount out of a molehill
Despite being one of Chelsea’s most consistent performers in recent years, Mount had his fair share of critics at the start of the campaign.
The No19 struggled to find consistency as Tuchel switched around his tactics during his final games in charge.
Mount’s effectiveness suffered as a result with his questions coming his way despite the team not performing as a whole.
It is something the midfielder has had to regularly deal with, despite the Champions League winner’s glittering career up to this point speaking for itself.
And Potter has admitted his surprised that there are some who still do not rate the playmaker.
He said: It’s surprising — I get a few questions, there seems to be mixed opinion on Mason. I find that strange, especially from the outside.
“When you start to work with him, he’s got everything you need to be a top, top player.
“He has a great attitude, he understands spaces, can execute assists and scores goals, so he’s top.”
Making a difference
So far, Potter’s record at Chelsea impressively reads five wins, one draw, 13 goals scored and only two conceded.
Mount’s stats also make for good viewing, with two goals and three assists under the former Brighton technician.
He initially impressed in a No8 position in Potter’s opening two fixtures before a switch to a more advanced role resulting in his recent glut of goal contributions.
With Potter no stranger to switching around his formation based on the opposition he is up against, versatile players like Mount are worth their weight in gold.
It seems the club certainly agree, with talks over a new contract at Stamford Bridge reportedly accelerating in recent weeks.
Hungry for more
His well-taken brace at Villa last weekend — first capitalising on a Tyrone Mings error before a second-half free-kick — were somewhat surprisingly Mount’s first Premier League goals of the campaign.
After getting up and running in the top flight, he revealed his determination to keep improving.
He said: “It was an enjoyable one. You never want to go at the start of the season without scoring for that long, but it happened to me last season so I know how to deal with it.
“I am mentally strong so I stuck at it and, in my head, I knew they were going to come.
“Last season, I scored three after I scored my first goal — getting two others in the game. Today, I scored two so it doesn’t bother me too much even though I don’t want it to happen.”
World Cup looming
Mount’s excellent form can only be good news for England with the World Cup fast approaching.
The former Derby loanee has for a long time been one of manager Gareth Southgate’s trusted men in the Three Lions fold and that seems unlikely to change in Qatar next month.
With the opening game against Iran just over a month away, he could perhaps be forgiven for wanting to save himself for the winter showpiece — particularly given injury looks to have all-but ruled out team-mate Reece James.
But the 32-cap international has insisted all his focus remains firmly on Chelsea right now with eight games still to play before the domestic season pauses.
He said: “As a player you can never think of that because once that is in your mind then things can happen. I try not to ever think about not going 100% because I might get injured.
“Look, when you have got a massive World Cup coming up you don’t want it to happen but you’ve got to stay focused in every game you play.
“It is massively important for us to win games in the Premier League at this stage and you’ve got to try to stay fit.
“It is difficult and tough, we’re grinding out these games and hopefully when the World Cup comes around you will be as close to 100% as you can be.”
