Silva was one man who played with passion, toughness and an unmistakable swagger in Chelsea blue. The Argentina World Cup winner has looked every bit a £100m player with world-class potential - quick on the ball, strong in the tackle and with an easy eye for a pass. January's transfer window splurge on new signings somehow made things worse for the team, with the notable exception of Fernandez. Goals were still being conceded, except for a spell in the autumn when Kepa played out of his mind, keeping clean sheets all on his own with a series of breathtaking, world-class saves. One bright spot this season was a constantly under-pressure defence actually living up to its side of the footballing bargain. Chilwell always put in a shift, contributed at both ends of the field, and did so having come back from serious injury just one season ago. Players like Chilwell, however, emerged above some of the rest. In a disappointing season, only a handful of Blues stood out as candidates on the men's side of the club. So, come the opening of the transfer window on 14 June, it might not be a case of whether Chelsea can afford to keep Mount, but whether they can afford to let him go. "When have you seen Mount give anything less than everything on the pitch? That's the kind of player you need." There are a number of players Chelsea fans are not overly enamoured with. "He has come through the academy and is a Chelsea fan," ex-Blues and Scotland winger Pat Nevin has said. Selling on players who weren't reaching the heights expected at the time - Kevin de Bruyne and Mohamed Salah to name just two. Interim head coach Frank Lampard recently admitted he didn't know if the youth product would stay, adding: "That's between Mason and the club." But as the Blues contend with Financial Fair Play rules after the new owners' spending spree, the rumoured £55m transfer fee could be a welcome boost.īut Chelsea have been burned before. The question is then raised: is Mount's faltering form a symptom of Chelsea's difficult season or a contributing factor? He has played about two-thirds of the minutes he has in the previous Premier League season - 1,656 compared with 2,364 - and, in turn, has scored fewer goals, made fewer assists and dropped off in terms of shots taken, chances created and passes attempted. Since returning to the club from his impressive loan spell with Derby County in 2019, Mount has been an almost undroppable feature of the side, no matter the manager in charge, and just two years ago was assisting Kai Havertz's winning goal in the Champions League final.įast forward to today and the England international, alongside dealing with a pelvic injury, has struggled for form in a difficult season for the side. While a number of fringe players could be on their way out, what's more concerning for Blues fans is rumours surrounding those who have been integral to the side in recent seasons - especially Mason Mount.Ĭontract talks have been ongoing between the 24-year-old and the club but with little progress and, as he heads into the final year of his existing deal, Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool are said to be interested in the midfielder's signature.īut, how important is it for Chelsea to keep hold of the academy graduate? Only Man City in 2019-20 and Man Utd in 2013-09 have ever made more ove ra campaign.Īfter a summer and winter of spending that, according to defender Thiago Silva, left Chelsea needing to "increase the size of the changing rooms because it didn't fit the size of the team", it is evident a player clearout is required. I'm not too nostalgic, I've got a great bond with the club and I'll be back many times."Ĭhelsea have finished the season with their lowest points tally (44) since 1987-88 when they were relegated to the second tier (42), while it’s the Blues lowest league finish (12th) since 1993-94 (14th).Ĭhelsea have made 139 changes to their starting XIs between Premier League matches this season. "Although we haven't got the results we want this season, it is what it is. Chelsea fans understand the tough position we were in when I came here. "You have to be careful not to get into a transitional game with Newcastle because they are a running team. They did too but they are a good team nothing to play for gave them freedom. We played like a Chelsea team should at home more threat, more confident than we've been and we created chance. Chelsea boss Frank Lampard speaking to Match of the Day: "I think.
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