Chelsea made a mistake by selling Mason Mount to Man United

Chelsea’s primary objective for the 2023/24 transfer window was to reduce the size of their squad significantly. So far, they have made impressive moves in the transfer window, offloading several players and generating €150.60 million in revenue while alleviating the wage bill. Notable departures include N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, Mateo Kovacic, Kai Havertz, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Edouard Mendy, and César Azpilicueta. Kante and Koulibaly were both earning wages exceeding £250,000 per week.

Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech are also expected to leave the club soon. Additionally, Mason Mount has agreed to a deal with Manchester United. He is expected to sign a five-year contract, with CFC receiving £55 million and potentially another £5 million in add-ons. While this deal presents significant financial benefits, it is considered a mistake for Chelsea to sell Mount to the Red Devils.

Losing Mount means parting ways with one of their best players, someone who has shown tremendous dedication to the club. The English international has impressed across various aspects of his game. Here are Mason Mount’s statistics in the Premier League for Chelsea since the 2019/20 season:

Most passes in the final third (1905)
Most shots (269)
Most chances created (227)
Most crosses (151)
Most possession won in the final third (80)
Most goals (27)
Most assists (22)

Throughout his time at Stamford Bridge, Mount has played under different managers and received acclaim from them all. He has been a consistent starter, featuring in over 50 games each season, except for the last one due to injury struggles. Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel placed their trust in Mount at Chelsea, and he has been a regular pick for the England national team under Gareth Southgate. While his stats may not be the most outstanding in the world, his undeniable work ethic has earned him a place on these teams.

Mount’s versatility is another asset that makes him a valuable player. He has seamlessly filled various positions for Chelsea, including central midfielder, attacking midfielder, and winger at times. The current midfield options at Chelsea lack the same level of versatility, making it challenging for the club to find a player with a similar or better profile.

Aged just 23, Mount broke Juan Mata’s record as the youngest Chelsea player to achieve a “double-double” in the Premier League, recording 10 goals and 10 assists. Mata accomplished this feat at the age of 25. Mount also became the first Chelsea player since Eden Hazard in the 2018/2019 season to directly contribute to 20+ Premier League goals in a single campaign. Other notable CFC players who achieved a double-double include Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.

In conversations with club legends regarding numbers, Mount also has his banner at the Bridge. “The Boy Who Had a Dream” proudly waves in the Matthew Harding Stand at Stamford Bridge. He has maintained a professional character on and off the field, earning him respect, and there have been no complaints about his attitude.

As Mount joins Manchester United, some sections of the fanbase question his loyalty to the Blues. In evaluating Mason Mount’s contribution to Chelsea, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the entire squad faced struggles last campaign, and Mount had a relatively less impactful season. In seasons before, his contributions to the team’s success were evident, and it’s unfair to judge him solely based on this particular season.

Mount was underpaid at Chelsea, earning a weekly wage of £80,000 despite being a regular starter, while other underperforming players received higher salaries. Players like Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Marc Cucurella earned over £120,000 weekly. Although the West Londoners offered Mount a similar contract to Man United, the offer came late, and he had already decided about his future. Negotiations between the two parties broke down after the World Cup, and the club did not resume communication until May 2023.

Mason Mount, a two-time Chelsea Player of the Year, played a crucial role in winning the UEFA Champions League in the 2020/21 season and has also won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. Leaving his childhood club as a champion, Mount, who has been with Chelsea since the age of six and is a product of the Cobham Academy, will be remembered as a player who truly cherished the badge. Ahead of his move to Old Trafford, Mount bid farewell to the Chelsea faithful with a message on his Instagram account on Tuesday evening.