As the international break continues, focus will start to move back towards the return of domestic football now this weekend.
The international break can be good or bad for many reasons, but after the disappointment of dropping points via a last gasp equaliser against Everton in their last game before the break, Chelsea and Graham Potter will be eager to get back and play again and put things right against Aston Villa on Saturday.
Sources: Chelsea managerial situation explained – Julian Nagelsmann and Graham Potter!
Mason Mount has not been on international duty with England as he still recovers from a minor injury, and it will be interesting to see if he comes back in to the Chelsea squad. There’s been a lot said about Mount’s future, and whether Chelsea should sign Joao Felix, and the fact that these two situations could be interlinked.
Former Blue Frank Leboeuf had some comments printed last week that he wanted to clear up in his exclusive and extensive Chelsea column for Si & Dan Talk Chelsea.
🚨 Exclusive Frank Leboeuf column!
– Importance of a top goalkeeper
– Mount's future in his hands
– Felix a different class
– Protecting Mudryk
– The Gallagher sub
– Fofana shining
– Plus more!https://t.co/p49ukp2bW5— Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) March 24, 2023
This is what was quoted:
Frank Leboeuf: “Hopefully #Chelsea will be able to sell a few players – maybe Christian Pulisic and Mason Mount – and can then get Felix on a permanent. It would be a lot of money, that's the only worry for the owners. But in terms of a football player, I would sign Felix” (ESPN) pic.twitter.com/ccsgAXkEua
— ChelsTransfer (@ChelsTransfer) March 23, 2023
But the former Chelsea captain wants to clear it up. He says: “I want to be clear, I love Mason Mount and I would not be happy to see him leave. But the Mount we have been seeing in the last year and half is not the Mount I want to see, not the Mount we used to see, and the impact he used to have in the middle and up front.
“To compensate what Joao Felix would cost [if Chelsea sign him], I guess Christian Pulisic needs to go. If Mount wants to leave, he is not going to be back to the Mount we used to know, and he is not going to sign a new contract, then it is better if he goes. There are players like that who can bring the money in to help cover the price tag of Felix. I’m sure Hakim Ziyech can be sold too and get some money in for him.
“Those three players aren’t bringing what Felix is bringing right now. Pulisic and Ziyech have to go because they are not happy with the situation, we are not happy with their performances, so it is fair for them to have a chance to shine somewhere else. The big question mark is what Mason wants to do. If he wants to sign for Manchester United, I am not happy!
“But really, you cannot forbid him to sign wherever he wants. It’s sad because I love the player, it’s nice to have a guy like John Terry who came from the academy, bringing through all the spirit of that club. But if he’s not at the level we need him to be at and is not going to sign a contract, then it’s better for him to go.”
I agree with Frank.. but on the other hand with the money we have spent we should give, Mason the wage he deserves. When we couldn’t buy. the young ones kept us top 6.give him credit for what he has done
I agree with Monsieur Leboeuf a . But i think we should keep Mount. We haven’t had a Frank Lampard since he’s left. I think we need to get rid of the likes of RLC, Gallagher and Odoi instead. Pulisic and Ziyech definitely must be sold. I love Ziyech but we never got to see the Ziyech of Ajax at the Bridge. Shame.