Leeds 0-3 Chelsea lessons learnt: Romelu Lukaku renaissance
By Nate Hofmann
3. The Mount-James combo is Chelsea’s future
At this point, Mason Mount and Reece James are carved into Chelsea best starting XI. Even in this rut of rough form, Mount and James have been positive contributors more often than not. The first goal against Leeds showed just how integral they are to the team in general, but also to each other’s success.
Mount’s goal in the 4′ was a relatively simple two-man game with James. The reigning Chelsea Player of the Year played it forward for James to drive toward the box. The wingback then waited and laid off a pass for Mount to side foot into the top corner. It was about as smooth and classy a goal as the Blues have scored all year, coming at a time of the season where smooth, classy goals have been few and far between.
The connection between Mount and James is about as solid as you’ll find in football. Between coming up through the academy at the same time, having excellent seasons on loan at the same time, immediately establishing themselves in the first team squad at the same time and then winning the Champions League together a season later, the two are inextricably linked. They are on a path to being two of the most iconic players in the club’s recent history.
On the field, James’ exceptional attacking sense for a fullback has helped free up space for Mount, particularly when Mount plays near James on the right wing. They have a preternatural feel for when one is about to show up in a good attacking area. On Wednesday, James immediately turned and laid the ball off for Mount as he followed up on his initial pass, rather stalling to pick out one of Lukaku, Marcos Alonso or Christian Pulisic, who were all in decent attacking positions themselves. That speaks to not just the connection between the two, but the trust that James has that Mount can make a good decision to either shoot or set up a teammate from a more advantageous position.
Compare that to a player such as Hakim Ziyech—who always wants to play that killer ball by himself—rather than playing the pass-before-the-pass to set up an even better chance. It’s a matter of trust in your teammates, a lack of ego and the mental acuity to see two steps ahead rather than just one. James and Mount both have that skill set, and it’s just as important as their immense technical prowess in making them so successful. James showed it on the first goal against Leeds, Mount on the second.
They’re two incredible players who are at the heart of the best version of this current era of the club. Wednesday encapsulated that perfectly, and long may it continue.
Next. Chelsea should give the Romelu Lukaku experiment another season. dark
What are some of the lessons you learnt? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!