The old mantra was that Chelsea could always rely on Mason Mount. A winner of back-to-back player of the season awards, the 23-year-old has performed even when the team has gone through its almost yearly declines.
Mount has been immune to the boom-bust cycle that has been so typical at Chelsea in their ongoing hunt to close the gap on Manchester City.
Unfortunately, that trend finally caught up with the high-energy midfielder this season when he failed to score or assist in his first seven games. He particularly dipped under Thomas Tuchel before the German was sacked, notably playing in three different positions in his final match in charge against Dinamo Zagreb.
There were even some questions quietly asked about why Mount was in the England squad alongside Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Jarrod Bowen, who were also called up while struggling for their respective clubs. Gareth Southgate kept faith in Mount and the appointment of Graham Potter has kickstarted his resurgence.
Mount initially played as a No8 against Red Bull Salzburg, a position that rarely existed under Tuchel. In that game, he got an assist and produced his best performance of the season, and followed it up with positive displays in three starts against Crystal Palace, AC Milan and Wolves.
Mount is likely to start once again in the San Siro on Tuesday when Chelsea will try to follow up their 3-0 Champions League win over Milan last week to take charge of Group E. He goes into the match having got two further assists in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Wolves.
His assists came at two crucial moments on what threatened to be a frustrating afternoon against a dogged defensive side. His brilliant inswinging cross for Kai Havertz's goal was followed by a delicate through ball for Christian Pulisic to score.
“I do not doubt Mason Mount at all," said Potter after the game. "It’s just like anything, sometimes the team doesn’t function as well and so the individuals don’t function as well.
“Any young player knows football is a bit up and down, you have moments when it doesn’t go your way and it’s about what you can learn from that. He’s got that character, that personality, to continue to develop. He’s a delight to work with.
"I never like to put ceilings on players. I try to help them enjoy their football. I think if the team is playing well it helps individuals in the team, and that’s the job, that’s what we have to do.”
Those comments could be important as talks begin over the future of Mount, who is into the final two years of his contract and is yet to reach an agreement over a new deal.
By helping Mount, Potter is also aiding the England national team ahead of the World Cup and it extends to his use of other academy players. Reece James has been a steady performer all season but Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Conor Gallagher, Armando Broja and Trevoh Chalobah are also all back at the top of their games.
“I think it’s important to have players who understand the club," Potter said. “Ultimately, the most important thing is having the right people with the right attitude, players who want to improve and have ambition and take the club forward and take their own careers forward. That’s what we want.”
That gentler approach from Potter has been appreciated by the academy players who are beginning to thrive.
“First of all, he is a really nice guy and his staff are really nice," Loftus-Cheek said about new Chelsea boss. "It is a nice platform to work and improve within.
Chelsea’s academy players are back to their best under Graham Potter
“As players, we are a very versatile group who can play in different positions and I think that helps the gaffer if he wants to change things in the game so he can be fluid and it can be very comfortable for us."
The academy players are back at their best and, the way he has started under Potter, you would not rule out Mount becoming Chelsea's Player of the Year for the third year running.
