Chelsea’s 2020/21 Player of the Year: What’s next for Mason Mount?

3. Solutions

Firstly, he needs to get into better positions. Mount was often left to take shots from distance or pushed wide inside the opposition box from where the chances of scoring are low. His position on the pitch does account for it to a certain degree, but at the same time, it also provides him with a chance to make late runs into better areas. This was an ability that his mentor, Frank Lampard, mastered during his time as a player.

Secondly, Mount can also start by taking better shots. That means that shooting only when there is space available from outside the box. He can also work on his finishing from his weaker foot, as often his shots from the left were parried away by the goalkeeper. Alternatively, he can start picking out better spots to shoot at. Mount often went across with his shots when pushed out to the left side, which allowed the goalkeeper to make a save. He can do a Pulisic instead, and shoot at the near post with power, thus catching the custodian off-guard.

Thirdly, he can—and definitely should—work on his composure. Mount has been guilty of missing glaring chances from close range. He has a good shot on him, but at times, failed to convert from close range. His lost chance against Real Madrid in the second leg provided a glimpse at the same as he raced into a good position only to blast his shot high and wide.

Finally, there is another option though which the Englishman can boost his numbers—set pieces! While spot kicks and free kicks are by no means a guarantee, they still can work as a cheat code against defenses. Mount has shown his ability from both, but is still shy of taking them from time to time. He has taken three penalties in his Chelsea career so far, two in a shootout and only one from open play. He scored the one from open play this season. With Werner stepping away from his penalty duties and Jorginho inconsistent early in this term, Mount should take over the responsibility. The same can be said about free kicks. Often the Englishman steps aside to allow Marcos Alonso, Reece James and Ben Chilwell to hit the set piece. Mount has the ability to score from a dead-ball situation, as he proved last season in a crunch match against Wolves.

Despite all this, one can’t deny that Mount has been a fantastic player for Chelsea since breaking into the first team. He has stepped up from the role of a prospect to a key player this season and was duly named the club’s Player of the Season.

What comes next? Simple, more work. The gap between himself and those ahead of him is still considerable, although when it comes to Mount, no gap is unassailable.