Over the past two contests, it is difficult to argue that there was a better player on the pitch for Chelsea than Mason Mount. Since Graham Potter has taken over for Thomas Tuchel, Mount has looked like a completely different player in a role that suits him nearly perfectly.
Playing in that No.10 role, Mount has the freedom to link up on both flanks, drive at defenders, press in the middle of the pitch, and run beyond the striker. His Man of the Match performance at the San Siro against AC Milan, and his outing against Wolves were dazzling displays of brilliance that once again show how essential a piece Mount is to this CFC team.
He collected the first assist of the Potter era and has had three assists combined in his last two contests including a driving run past his former teammate to win the Blues a penalty. Potter seems to have unlocked Mount even more than any of the past managers have, demonstrating truly how good of a player he could end up being one day. Under Tuchel through seven games in all competitions, Mount collected 16 shot-creating actions, but under Potter through five contests Mount has reached 22 shot-creating actions, becoming even more of a threat on the offensive end.
Following his sensational outing against Wolves in the Premier League, Potter spoke on his quality and importance of the team going forward:
"“Any young player knows football is a bit up and down, you have moments when it doesn’t go your way and it’s about what you can learn from that. He’s got that character, that personality, to continue to develop. He’s a delight to work with. I never like to put ceilings on players. I try to help them enjoy their football, I think if the team is playing well it helps individuals in the team, and that’s the job, that’s what we have to do.”"
Mount’s passing has been one of his most vital attributes under Potter, distributing in ways that put his teammates in the best position to make a play happen. Under Potter, Mount has completed 80 percent or more of his passes in every match of his reign, while in the seven games under Tuchel this campaign, Mount only did that twice. The more the former Chelsea academy product has the ball at his feet throughout the rest of the season, the more success the Blues are going to have.
When CFC needed a breakthrough the most in the last two fixtures, only one man provided it. Kai Havertz had the finishing touch just before the first half against Wolves, and Jorginho put the Blues one up against AC Milan, but it was the hard work of Mount that made both of those opportunities happen. Any other footballer on the planet would have gone down in the box when someone pulls you from the back with any sort of force, but not Mount, he stayed on his feet and forced the goalkeeper into making a save.
Just like Fran Kirby on the women’s team, Mount provides that creativity, and finishing product that complements the player who leads the line better than a whole lot of midfielders in his position. He is currently tied with Reece James, and Raheem Sterling with the team lead for expected total assists on the season with 1.3. The 23-year-old despite not netting a goal so far this season is second on the Blues for total shots per 90 minutes, only behind the emerging Armando Broja.
With Villa next on tap, it is difficult not to remember the jaw-dropping volley at Stamford Bridge against the Villains in the Premier League in 2019 to seal a 2-1 win for the Blues. Mount’s shrug as he ran to the corner flag on that night told the whole story, and as the match looms, he may be thinking about that goal with his first of this season surely coming sometime in the very near future. The English international always seems to be one step ahead of the defense, and with all the space, and authority he is given under Potter, the more deadly the Blues’ attack seems to be.
Chelsea has yet to be shut out under the new coaching regime and has netted two or more goals in four straight matches. Mount has been the catalyst for the majority of the successes for the Blues over the past few weeks, and while James may be out for an extended period of time, Chelsea fans should be thankful that Mount looks like he is becoming a more complete player by the minute.