West Ham lost more than a midfielder when Mark Noble retired at the end of the season. They lost their club captain, their leader, their symbol. It is not always about what happens on the pitch. There are the conversations that happen away from the public gaze, the exchanges at the training ground every day, and figures such as Noble are crucial when it comes to ensuring that standards remain high on and off the pitch.
He understood West Ham. “Losing Mark Noble was important,” David Moyes said after his side began this campaign with three league defeats. “He could see things even though he didn’t play much last season. He was important around the club.”
There was a surprising cost. West Ham’s form deteriorated and they have tumbled into a relegation battle. With signings struggling to settle, the team grew confused. At times it seemed that they were not running as much.
Yet the mood has changed before Chelsea’s visit on Saturday. It is not a coincidence that West Ham have lost only once since Noble became sporting director on 2 January. Other factors have clearly helped – Nayef Aguerd has been outstanding in defence since recovering from an ankle injury and Moyes deserves credit for moving Lucas Paquetá into a deeper role in his new 3-4-3 system – but Noble has contributed. Scouting and networking are two elements of his job; less noticed is that he has provided a helping hand by making his presence felt around the first team again.
There was clearly more unity to West Ham during last weekend’s draw with Newcastle. They ran harder and defended well. Paquetá scored the equaliser. If the Brazil international continues his improvement then West Ham will fancy their chances of beating Chelsea.
Nobody knows what to expect from Chelsea. João Félix is back from suspension and Enzo Fernández is their new fulcrum in midfield. But what of Mason Mount? The midfielder has less than 18 months remaining on his contract, has made little progress during negotiations over an extension and is attracting ire from a section of Chelsea fans on social media. A day rarely passes without someone abusing Mount. Clips of his lowlights do the rounds. Some accounts have even renamed themselves “Mount Out”.
It is bizarre. Like Noble, Mount is a homegrown product. The 24-year-old is not flashy but he is effective. He provided the assist for Kai Havertz’s winner against Manchester City in the Champions League final in 2021. He has scored vital goals at Anfield and the Bernabéu. He was Chelsea’s best player when Thomas Tuchel was in charge.
Yet the future is murky. Noble sometimes felt under-appreciated during his playing career. It can be easier to take the academy boy for granted; to assume they will always smile and nod. Mount is on about £75,000 a week. He is pushing to be one of Chelsea’s highest earners, but a new wage structure is coming in under the hierarchy. Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital believe the wage bill had become exorbitant under Roman Abramovich and, although they have spent a lot on transfer fees, they are drawing a harder bargain when it comes to pay negotiations.
Mykhaylo Mudryk and Fernández have not signed on big wages. Chelsea want to be more efficient. Pay is incentivised and contracts are long. Will Mount get on board? He wants to feel valued. Chelsea are optimistic of an agreement but do not want to be sentimental. Perhaps affected by the noise off the pitch, Mount’s performances have been below par this season. He has three goals in the league, two assists and a shooting accuracy of 29%. Perhaps he needs a change of scenery. Liverpool are lurking and it is not inconceivable that Chelsea will look to sell Mount this summer if a contract remains unsigned.
That would appal match-going Chelsea fans, who plan to unveil a pro-Mount banner before next weekend’s home game against Southampton, though a lot can change before the end of the season. The player still has power. Chelsea have added competition in midfield but Mount can strengthen his negotiating position by lifting his level against West Ham.
Standing in his way, though, will be West Ham’s brightest academy graduate: Declan Rice. Released by Chelsea when he was 14, Rice has gone on to become one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe. He was outstanding against Newcastle and his desire to play in the Champions League means his departure from West Ham this summer is inevitable.
The question is where Rice ends up. He is best friends with Mount and there was once an assumption that they would be reunited at Chelsea. Football moves quickly, though. Although Chelsea inquired about Rice last summer, there are doubts over whether they are quite as fixated on him now. They have looked elsewhere, buying Fernández for £106.8m, and there is a sense that they will not look to break the bank for Rice.
Is it the right fit? Rice will want big wages but he will also look at the overall project. Arsenal are on the rise and Rice would love to play for Mikel Arteta. Chelsea are less stable. Rice will surely look at Mount and question whether Chelsea will give him the right environment.
It makes Arsenal the likelier destination. But Chelsea must be careful. Their attempts to streamline costs make sense but they also need to recognise when it is time to pull out the stops. Mount should be the one leading Chelsea into a new era. As Noble proves, sometimes there is value in knowing a club inside out.
