Chelsea’s Mason Mount didn’t find it hard to snub Southampton.
Chelsea talent Mason Mount has told The Sun that he snubbed a deal with Southampton as a kid – because he is mad about their rivals Portsmouth.
Mount, 19, has been touted as one of English football’s top wonderkids, having starred on loan at Vitesse Arnhem last season, hitting 14 goals and nine assists in the Eredivisie.
The attacking midfielder has been sent out on loan to Derby County this season, and has again shown promise with two goals and an assist in his seven Championship outings.
Mount is being tipped for England recognition in the near future, and he has discussed the opening to his career in an interview with The Sun.
Mount was born in Portsmouth, but started his career with Chelsea way back in 2005, rejecting both Portsmouth and Southampton in the end, having spend a day a week training with each as a kid.
Now, Mount has revealed that he found it hard to turn down boyhood club Portsmouth as he loves Pompey, but didn’t find it quite so difficult to snub a deal with rivals Southampton, as he couldn’t stand wearing their kit.
“It was tough to turn down Pompey. I was a massive fan, season-ticket holder and grew up watching them,” said Mount. “Southampton wasn’t as tough! I went there and I had to wear the kit and just didn’t want to in training. No disrespect but I am a Pompey boy! I found it too hard wearing that kit.
Mount may yet make the grade with Chelsea, but with the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham struggling to break through and Dominic Solanke even heading to Liverpool instead, there are questions over Chelsea’s suitability for young players.
Conversely, Southampton have been great for developing young talent over the years, and whilst their academy has dried up in recent years, they certainly could have nurtured Mount correctly – but we can all attest to not wanting to play for our favourite club’s biggest rivals.
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