Manchester United set 'end of next week' deadline to complete Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount deal.
According to Adam Newson of Football.London, via Daniel Childs (h/t Football.London), Chelsea star Mason Mount rejected the initial new contract offer from the club as he wants positional assurances going forward.
Mount, whose contract at Stamford Bridge expires in 18 months time (Transfermarkt), has had negotiations for a new deal dragging since the summer. A few days ago, it was reported that he has rejected a £200,000-a-week contract.
The England international, who is currently in Qatar representing his country in the World Cup, is hesitant to sign a new contract as long as Reece James and Armando Broja did (six years each).
Mount is a versatile player who can play as a winger, an attacking midfielder or as a central midfielder. He apparently wants to be seen as a number eight, where the role is to affect games on both halves of the field.
Out of the 21 appearances in all competitions for the Blues this season, he has played 10 as an attacking midfielder, only four as a central midfielder and the rest either as a winger or wide midfielder.
It is an intriguing situation because Todd Boehly is not willing to let the 23-year-old leave the club anytime soon (Guardian). Does manager Graham Potter agree with the player’s demands of seeing him as a number eight? It remains to be seen.
Mount does possess the qualities to be a great option there to be fair. He is excellent on the ball, can create chances and works hard without the ball to help the team defensively. We know someone who eventually morphed into that position and became a Chelsea legend – Frank Lampard.
Maybe, Mount sees him as a Lampard incarnation. He wouldn’t be wrong in thinking that. But, it depends on the manager whether he can give assurances of playing him there. We would love to see that happening.
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