Potter lavishes praise on Chelsea ace despite contract troubles

Graham Potter hails the response from Chelsea star Mason Mount despite contract issues

Chelsea boss Graham Potter has hailed the response from Mason Mount despite being in a difficult spell at the club regarding his future.

Mount’s future at Stamford Bridge has been in the air for some time now. His contract expires in 2024, with talks of a new contract not going smoothly.

The 24-year-old has been vehemently linked with Liverpool and the Reds are labelled as favourites to get him in the summer. The Guardian has revealed that he would want to reunite with Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich, while Manchester United are also keeping a close eye.

Amidst all those rumblings, Mount is responding well in the Chelsea squad as per Potter. Here’s what the boss said (h/t Evening Standard):

“It’s been tough for him.

“He’s had some niggling injuries, and noise and speculation off the pitch. But he’s a top professional, and a fantastic lad.

“How he’s acted with me, how he’s acted with the team, how he’s acted around us has been absolutely top. That’s credit to him because sometimes in your career things are difficult, they’re not quite how you’d like them to be.

“Then you have to act well and conduct yourself in a good way, and that’s exactly what he’s done.”

The England international missed a few games before the international break due to an issue in his lower abdomen. He also pulled out from the national team squad despite being picked.

Chelsea are clear that if the contract negotiation does not go well, they will sell the player in the summer, rather than letting him go for free next season. From a financial viewpoint, it makes sense.

But, Mount is still one of the top players in the Blues squad. At his age (24), there is a lot more to come from him from next season onward.

He is a mixture of technical brilliance, excellent work rate and a potential future captaincy option. Letting him go at the peak stage of his career would be a massive mistake for the club.

More Chelsea News:

• Chelsea could make a move for Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde
• Chelsea star Kai Havertz could consider a future move to Bayern Munich
• Transfer News: Mason Mount yet to extend his contract at Chelsea

However, it seems like the ship has sailed, unless there is a U-turn incoming soon. The one thing they can do is not sell him to a direct rival like Liverpool or United. Maybe, it would be right to let him go to Munich and reunite with Tuchel.