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Power ranking Chelsea’s five Ballon d’Or candidates

By Gabe Henderson

Chelsea's Italian midfielder Jorginho reacts after scoring his penalty in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA Super Cup football match between Chelsea and Villarreal at Windsor Park in Belfast on August 11, 2021. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's Italian midfielder Jorginho reacts after scoring his penalty in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA Super Cup football match between Chelsea and Villarreal at Windsor Park in Belfast on August 11, 2021. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s English midfielder Mason Mount reacts after the penalty shoot-out during the English League Cup third round football match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in London on September 22, 2021. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s English midfielder Mason Mount reacts after the penalty shoot-out during the English League Cup third round football match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in London on September 22, 2021. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images) /

4. Mason Mount

Azpilicueta in fifth and now Chelsea’s star-boy in fourth? The depth on this list is truly unbelievable. Mason Mount improved on his incredible debut season last year as he nailed down his spot in the starting XI under two gaffers. Many didn’t know how he’d perform under a manager not named Lampard, but the English midfielder got even better. He has become instrumental to the way the Blues play with his endless energy, movement off the ball and pressing ability. Mount’s absence was felt against Manchester City as Chelsea struggled to play from out the back. The 22-year-old provides a reliable link between the back line and forwards.

Mount’s surface stats are nothing eye-popping—nine goals and assists last season in all competitions—but they were important contributions. He won the Blues crucial points down the stretch in the Premier League and his efforts in the UCL cannot go unnoticed either. Nevertheless, perhaps the most impressive numbers associated with Mount are his matches played. He played in 54 games, tallying over 4,200 minutes. Mount wasn’t limited to a certain spot either. He lined up in a handful of set positions under two different managers, including winger, attacking midfielder and central midfielder.

For all of these efforts, Mount was awarded Chelsea’s Player of the Year award during his sophomore campaign with the west London club. Unfortunately, this won’t earn him anything more than brownie points when it comes to Ballon d’Or voting. Mount’s gotten off to a slow start this season and if he wanted any chance of finishing near the top, he needed to be stellar. There is no need to worry though, Mount has an entire career ahead of him to pick up individual accolades.

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