MASON MOUNT is unfazed by the possibility of fighting for his Chelsea future all over again.
The club’s appeal against a two-window transfer ban will be heard in 15 days’ time which could pave the way for a return to big-time spending at Stamford Bridge.
4
4
Midfielder Mount, 20, fully warrants his place as a key figure in the new-look Chelsea team, which boasted FIVE academy graduates at one point in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Watford.
But the padlock on club owner Roman Abramovich’s wallet is also having a say in team selection.
The feel-good factor at Chelsea this season, with the fans singing the players’ names even in defeat, underlines how they enjoy seeing the kids getting a chance after years of relying on purchasing power.
Mount has started all 11 Premier League games for Chelsea, under Frank Lampard this season, after 14 years of progressing through the ranks.
‘EXPERIENCE STARS GIVE US CONFIDENCE’
He said: “We’ve had to deal with that during our whole time at Chelsea.
“You come into a team, there’s players from different countries and you’ve got to work and show how good you are.
“There’s always been that competition within Chelsea.
“We’re all ready for it. It’s exactly the same now. There’s still massive competition within the team and you’ve got to fight for your place.
“Whatever happens, happens. We’ve shown what we can do with a ban, and we’re doing well. But looking at what we’ve done so far we can definitely carry on doing this.
“A lot of us coming through together has helped, the experienced players helped us, made us feel confident.
4
“That’s the most important thing. To be confident that you’re ready to play at this level. I was ready, no matter what happened.
“I have been at the club for a very long time.
“You have got to have belief in yourself and be ready for that opportunity.
“It probably came a bit earlier than I expected, but I was ready and fully focussed on taking my chance.”
Mount has seized his moment, not only has he scored four goals, but shown pace, technique and commitment.
He will be integral this evening when Chelsea take on Dutch champions Ajax seeking a third successive European win.
Inspirational midfielder N’Golo Kante is finally fit and ready to go after a season bedeviled by niggling little injuries.
Chelsea sit top of Group H above Ajax on head-to- head results in the wake of a shock 1-0 victory in Amsterdam two weeks ago.
After losing their opening game in Europe, Lampard’s kids have found their feet fast.
4
Mount said: “There is a different feel around it. There are not many Champions League games that come around, so the focus on winning the game is so important.
“Obviously that happens in the Premier League as well. But you have so few opportunities to win the games and get points, because there are so many top teams in the group, so you have to keep the focus on winning games.”
CHELSEA (likely line-up): Kepa, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Tomori, Emerson, Jorginho, Kovacic, Mount, Willian, Abraham, Pulisic.
