Journalist Adam Crafton has claimed that incoming Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino will need to address the “issue” surrounding the future of midfielder Mason Mount.
Mount’s contract with the Blues expires in the summer of 2024, with the upcoming transfer window likely being one of the last chances to cash out on him.
Pochettino is said to be keen on holding on to the England international according to a recent report from Football Insider.
Speaking to BBC 5 Live Sport, Crafton discussed the future situation surrounding the 24-year-old.
He stated, “They’ve got an issue with Mason Mount this summer in terms of his contract being up in a year, and at the moment, there’s no agreement. So they’re in a situation where the owners aren’t prepared to run that contract down. So they’re either going to have to persuade him to stay.
“That’s maybe Pochettino’s first job, or they have to cash in and you have Arsenal and Liverpool in particular pressing really hard. I would think a guy that’s come through the academy, that seems to have a real connection with a Chelsea fan base.
“It would be a real blow I think in terms of just the identity of what Chelsea are trying to create. If Mason Mount was to be walking out on that and saying basically, I think Arsenal Liverpool is a better place for me to develop.”
The midfielder has been a regular contributor for Chelsea since he broke into the first team. This season has not been a good one for him, but you could say the same for a number of the current squad.
With there potentially being interest this summer, losing him could come back to bite them. Should he go to Arsenal or Liverpool, those are two clubs with managers who have established themselves as developing players very well.