Chelsea pause contract negotiation with first-team star until next summer

Chelsea to hold contract talks with Mason Mount until the summer

According to The Athletic (subscription required), Chelsea have decided to hold back the new contract talks with Mason Mount until the summer.

Mount’s current deal at Stamford Bridge expires in the summer of 2024 (Transfermarkt). The negotiations for an extension haven’t reached anywhere yet, with the player rejecting new offers last summer and in the autumn.

Several reports have stated that the 24-year-old wants his wages to be reflective of his status in the squad and also at par with what some of his English teammates are earning. At the moment, Mount is one of the lowest-paid players at the club.

With the club now focused on helping Graham Potter focus on the coming games till the end of this season, they have decided to pause the talks until the summer. Once that time, they will decide whether to extend Mount’s contract or sell him.

Given the uncertainty in the Englishman’s future, clubs like Liverpool are closely monitoring his situation and may prize him away in the summer. With only 12 months left in the contract, Chelsea may not be able to demand a high transfer fee as well.

We all know that Mount has not been in the greatest of forms this season. But, that is synonymous with the struggles of the team. Despite the low form and confidence, the 24-year-old has three goals and six assists in 31 appearances to his name.

If the current form is the basis of the Chelsea hierarchy playing hardball with him, that is short-sightedness. The Englishman has been one of the best players in the club in the last 24 months. A few weeks of bad form, that too in a team full of underwhelming performers, cannot be any basis for negotiation tinkering.

More Chelsea News:

• Chelsea set to battle Tottenham for Brighton striker Evan Ferguson
• Richard Keys urges Chelsea to replace Graham Potter with Jose Mourinho
• Chelsea legend gives the Blues his blessings to land Serie A star in the summer

Whether Mount deserves to be paid at the level he wants, is a different story. He needs to be kept here at any cost, that is for sure.