Former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy is not happy about reports suggesting the Premier League strugglers could sell Mason Mount with rivals Liverpool interested.
Less than two years ago, Mount was a key cog at the heart of Thomas Tuchel’s winning machine; assisting Kai Havertz’s winner in the 2021 Champions League final victory over Manchester City.
How times have changed. Tuchel is long gone. Havertz has been demonted from the toast of Stamford Bridge to a slinking scapegoat. Academy graduate Mount, meanwhile, appears uncertain about his own future, no longer a guaranteed starter following Todd Boehly’s ‘chucking darts at a dartboard’ approach to recruitment.
Liverpool, Football London say, are installing Mount as their number one summer target. While Chelsea are holding out for around £70 million, that is still a mere fraction of the fee Borussia Dortmund will demand for fellow England international Jude Bellingham, Jurgen Klopp under pressure to restore a rusty engine on a restricted budget.
Could Mason Mount leave Chelsea for Liverpool?
Some at Chelsea may welcome the chance to bring in £70 million for a player who’s form has dipped alarmingly over the last six months or so. Especially with just one year left on Mount’s contract.
Cundy, however, sees things differently. The prospect of selling a homegrown talent – to a direct Premier League rival no less – leaves another man who started his career in Chelsea blue a deep shade of green.
“The thought of letting of Mason Mount go turns by stomach,” Cundy tells talkSPORT (17 April, 11pm).
Mount has just three goals and six assists this term. A colossal drop-off from his tally of 13 goals and 16 assists across 2022/23.
The 24-year-old could be a man reborn under Klopp, however; Mount’s energy, intensity and running power three attributes the Liverpool boss looks for in potential midfield recruits.
“I would be desperately trying to get him at my club,” admits ex-Anfield playmaker Danny Murphy.
“I’d definitely want to keep him (if I were Chelsea) because I know what I’m getting. I am getting 100 per cent commitment from a player who loves the club. Who’s got great technical ability, and who can play in multiple positions,” Murphy adds.
“I think he is a super talent and a really good character. I’m on board with him. I love everything about him.”
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