‘You don’t offload your best players’: Paul Merson SLAMS Chelsea’s ‘bad business’ attitude to Mason Mount following stalled contract talks, as he warns selling the England star could turn a rival into a ‘title-contending team’
Paul Merson has urged Chelsea to ‘give Mason Mount what he’s asking for’ amid stalled contract renewal talks.
The England midfielder has 12 months remaining on his current deal at the club, and recently hinted he may be looking to leave the club by appointing a new agent.
He has been at the club since he was six and made 192 appearances in the first team, but is now being chased by Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool as his time at Stamford Bridge appears to be drawing to a close.
Merson felt Todd Boehly should be doing more to keep the 24-year-old, and labelled the club’s current attitude ‘bad business’.
‘Mason Mount was by far Chelsea’s best player last season. He was outstanding,’ the former Arsenal man said in his Sky Sports column.
Mason Mount’s contract talks with Chelsea have made little progress in recent weeks
‘It’s different when you come through the ranks at a football club because you cost nothing. When you get bought for a lot of money you’re viewed as more of an asset.’
The midfielder has picked up the player of the season award with the Blues in each of the last two seasons and scored 13 goals across all competitions in 2021/2.
Merson went on to argue that losing Mount would likely strengthen a rival, as he added: ‘You don’t offload your best players. There are so many players that need to get shipped out of this Chelsea squad before Mount.
‘The kid can play. It’s bad business by Chelsea – they should give him what he’s asking for.
‘If Liverpool go and get Mount and then Jude Bellingham, who could also go to Liverpool, you’ve got a title-contending team.
Paul Merson has urged Chelsea to do more to keep the 24-year-old midfielder at Stamford Bridge
The pundit warned Mount could strengthen a rival such as Liverpool if he left the club
‘Why would you want to chance that if you’re Chelsea? Why would you make them stronger?’
Mount has struggled this season in a tricky season for Graham Potter’s side, scoring just three goals as the Blues have slumped to 10th in the league.
They have enjoyed something of a resurgence in recent weeks after qualifying for the Champions League last eight and picking up back-to-back league wins, but suffered a disappointing 2-2 draw to Everton in their last game before the international break.
Chelsea will next be in action when they face Aston Villa on April 1.
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