Chelsea fans have for some time waited for their club to give youth a chance. Given the way the club has been built in the Roman Abramovich era, though, it’s easy to see why experience often wins out over youthful endeavour. However, in Mason Mount, the Blues might just have a talent on their hands who could change that for good.
What makes him so special?
Without being harsh on British players, what makes him stand out so much is that he plays in such an un-British manner. Though his physicality is definitely something that has to improve, Mount has become a regular goalscorer in the Championship and for his country at youth level.
An incisive passer with an eye for goal, and with a good range for picking out when to shoot and when to pass, Mount displays technical gifts far in excess of what you would expect. His maturity for one so young is very impressive, too; it would be hard to say much negative about his game. His smart, slick passing will fit in well with a Chelsea side well-accustomed to keeping the ball moving and progressing.
Any concerns or doubts?
In terms of his physical prowess, that would be his biggest concern and weakness. Still quite a slight young player, his tackling needs work and he’s more or less a man down when it comes to rough and tumble midfield battles. When he does tackle, it often leads to a foul – his tackling needs some serious work.
Still, he’s not going to get in the Chelsea side to kick ankles; he’ll be there to play passes and make the play tick. For Mount, the physical disparity in his game will be fixed with age and gametime. When that comes, the Blues could have a real star on their hands – and one of their own, too.