Chelsea news: Mason Mount could leave the Blues in the summer with his future in doubt because of a major contract dispute
Chelsea star Mason Mount is facing the biggest crossroads of his footballing career this summer. With his contract at Stamford Bridge expiring in 2024, the Cobham academy graduate could end up leaving his boyhood club if the issues surrounding his contract dispute with the club are not resolved.
Talks over a new deal initially kicked off at the start of the current season but with just six weeks left of the campaign, no progress has been made. If anything, an exit now looks more likely than Mount signing an extension with the two parties far apart in their respective demands.
Liverpool have been alerted to Mount's situation and with a midfield rebuild desperately needed at Anfield, he has become the priority acquisition for Jurgen Klopp's men, football.london understands. In January, the summer was set as the deadline for talks to resume making the five months in between those periods crucial for Mount and now it has emerged that Arsenal have made contact over a move.
Unfortunately for the England international, injuries and Chelsea's poor form have seen him struggle for any momentum. An abdominal issue has plagued the attacking midfielder for a number of months and his return only arrived against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Although, the appointment of Frank Lampard on an interim basis could be of massive help to Mount. Lampard was the man at the helm when Mount first broke onto the scene before he then played a key role in the Champions League triumph under Thomas Tuchel.
If anyone can get the best out of Mount, it is Lampard, and the 24-year-old may already be looking back to his best. In a training video released by Chelsea, Mount was spotted in a small-sided game producing an excellent piece of skill on the half turn to evade Lewis Hall before finishing emphatically past Edouard Mendy.
Of course, it was just a training session but that moment from Mount is exactly what Chelsea are missing. That sharpness in attack and clinical edge in front of goal is clearly absent but Mount, deployed in the right role, could certainly restore that.
The next seven games, while not too important for Chelsea, are huge for Mount and his future. It is chance for him to prove to Boehly his worth in his major rebuild in west London. If he can take that training confidence into games with him, he'll put himself in the best possible position to stay at the club.
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