Chelsea’s 2020/21 Player of the Year: What’s next for Mason Mount?
Peter Bonetti, John Hollins, Peter Osgood, Gary Locke, Ray Wilkins, Tommy Langley, Clive Walker, Mike Fillery, Frank Sinclair, John Terry . . . Mason Mount. Following in the footsteps of several club greats, Mount was named Chelsea’s 2021/21 Player of the Year. He became the latest in line of academy graduates who would, one day, go on to win the honor. Mount also became only the third player under the age of 24 to claim the award, thereby joining the elite company of Terry and Eden Hazard—perhaps a sign of greater things to come.
Mount has come a long way at Chelsea. From joining the club as a child, progressing through the ranks to making his first team breakthrough and finally, leading the team as the captain in what turned out to be Frank Lampard’s final game in charge. He has had his critics—some more vocal than others—but the youngster eventually proved them wrong thanks to his sheer talent and determination. His numbers this season speak of a marked improvement in all aspects of his game. He leads the team in terms of key passes, big chances created, tackles and accurate crosses. The midfielder also sits second in terms of assists and third for goals, interceptions and dribbles.
His being awarded Chelsea Men’s Player of the Year signifies the closing of a chapter—one which saw him come of age at his boyhood club. However, Mount’s story is far from over yet. Therefore, we must ask ourselves the question—as I’m sure the youngster must be too—what’s next?
1. Identifying areas of growth
Despite the stellar season Mount has had, he remains a league below the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Kevin de Bruyne, players one might consider elite in their group. Edging the gap between himself and those ahead of him should be, and will be, his target. Scoring more goals will certainly help him in doing so. Ruthlessness and prolificacy, then, is what he must look to add to his overall game to take that one step further. Mount’s numbers for this season are remarkable, as mentioned above. He has recorded a modest goal contribution, scoring and assisting 16 across all competitions, but those numbers are fairly below the elite standard. There are some obvious facets of his game that could be improved to give them a boost. Goals are the most tangible statistic in football, after all; the single-most valuable currency of the sport.