In Focus: Pressure Mounting on Mason's Chelsea future

Mason Mount will hope to feature against Liverpool tonight after being left on the bench for Graham Potter's final game as Chelsea boss. 

Saturday's 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa saw the Blues slip to 11th in the Premier League and proved to be the final straw for Todd Boehly and Co, who axed Potter the following day. 

With the ex-Brighton boss gone, Cobham academy graduate Mount's future looks increasingly uncertain as contract talks rumble on. 

Ahead of facing one of his potential suitors at Stamford Bridge, we turn the spotlight on the England ace.

Time ticking

A summer departure now looks increasingly likely for Mount.

Negotiations over a new deal are yet to be resolved and the off-season will be Chelsea's final chance to command a fee for a player with one year left on his contract. 

That is becoming increasingly important for the club's American owners as financial fair play restrictions will come into play should they not offload stars following their heavy outlay.

Yet having splashed the cash on a host of expensive additions, it appears homegrown ace Mount could be one casualty of a squad cull. 

Season of struggle

While the turnover of players and managers at the Bridge in the last 12 months will have been unsettling, Mount will no doubt be disappointed by his performances this season.

The Portsmouth native, 24, often set the standards after breaking into the team in 2019-20 — but he has fallen well below his usual levels.

Last season was his most productive in a Chelsea shirt with an impressive 11 goals and 10 assists in the league. In 2022-23, three goals and two assists are all he has to date.

His 1.59 chances created per 90 minutes is down on 2.21 in 2021-22, while he is also taking half as many shots (0.49 in 2022-23 vs 1.1 in 2021-22).

Despite his dip in form, both Thomas Tuchel and Potter largely kept faith with Mount. 

The playmaker has been involved in all but one of the league games he has been fit for this season, starting 20 top-flight matches.

Potter's decision to leave Mount on the bench as the Blues chased the game against Villa bewildered many and a reintroduction looks likely as he continues his recovery from a pelvic injury.

Looking to the future

Mount is not the only underperforming Blues player and will back himself to return to his best — whether that be in West London or elsewhere.

It is easy to see why tonight's opponents would view the talented midfielder as an excellent addition.

The Three Lions international's proficiency pressing off the ball, coupled with his superb creative and goalscoring ability, explain why he is attracting admiring glances.

Along with Liverpool, champions Manchester City are another club reportedly keen, while a reunion with Tuchel at Bayern Munich is another potential option.

Mountain to climb

If Mount does leave Chelsea this summer, he still has the chance to sign off in style.

Despite languishing in the bottom half of the league, the Blues have a Champions League quarter-final against face Real Madrid to look forward to. 

While going all the way would be a shock for the managerless Blues, who have placed Bruno Saltor in charge on an interim basis, the same can be said for their run to glory under Tuchel in 2020-21.

Mount will be desperate to remind Chelsea fans — and the rest of Europe — of his quality between now and the end of the season.