In 2019 when Mason Mount made his Chelsea debut and went on to make the second-most minutes of an outfield player under Frank Lampard, he benefited from circumstances which many had not foreseen. With a transfer ban placed on the club, top end players unable to join, Eden Hazard leaving and the managerial position vacant, it was Mount who lead a group of young players into the squad.
Tammy Abraham made his emergence as a true top Premier League forward, scoring 15 non-penalty goals in 25 starts and topping the charts for the club with a number that hasn't been matched since. Reece James broke through to prominence as well, though he only started 16 games due to Cesar Azpilicueta's seniority and importance.
It was Mount, then, that got the nod over more experienced players. He featured more than Mateo Kovacic, Ross Barkley and significantly more than Ruben Loftus-Cheek - who was admittedly coming back from a lengthy injury lay-off.
As a 20-year-old it was a big chance to come straight into the proceedings and feature instead of and alongside some world-class operators around him. After his seven goals and five assists, more than he managed in slightly more minutes in 2020/21, Mount established himself quickly.
In other iterations of Chelsea he may not have had such a chance. It would have been left to the senior players to do his job, no such breakthrough would have occurred and the player that would go on to top scoring charts in 2021/22 as well as assist the only goal in the Champions League final win over Manchester City, would not have come through the academy in the same way.
Now, with Mount closing in on a departure from his boyhood club, the same chance has emerged for others. Mount has now been subject to bids worth £40million, £50million and now £55million from Manchester United as he refuses to entertain extending his contract beyond 2024.
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It was an issue seen as far back as last summer but not expected to come this far. After James, Armando Broja and Trevoh Chalobah all signed bumper deals, Mount was the next in line but continued changes in personnel leading the talks and movement of the goalposts over the winter have created an environment he doesn't appear to think is suited to remaining any longer.
Chelsea are pushed to get back what they can for their England international, to book pure profit and reduce accounting pressure as well as cut down the squad and give Mauricio Pochettino a group of players keen to be at the club. The parting of ways for Mount and Chelsea is not a desired outcome by any means but it now looks to be a reality.
Just like in 2019, though, the world does not stop spinning and new opportunities arise. Here, football.london goes through those best placed to benefit from Mount's departure.
Andrey Santos
It's not quite the case of out with the old and in with the new but after his worst season since making his senior debut and Chelsea start, some fans are not so upset that they will be banking around £50million. After signing Andrey Santos and the next two options on this list for less £40million, it is the young trio that are set for the most benefit here.
Mount has been a consistent pick for Chelsea since 2019 across the midfield in an attacking No.8 role as well as double No.10 system under Thomas Tuchel. Under Pochettino he would likely have cemented his spot yet again and forced the rest to battle for places.
Now, with Santos able to occupy deeper in midfield as well as a box-to-box and advanced, box-arriver role, the teenager is one of the big unknowns but also excitements for the summer.
He would have been part of the first team squad already had his visa been approved at the start of 2023. After starring for the Brazil Under-20 side and making his senior debut, there is little doubt he will be accepted this time round and offered the chance to have an impact like Mount did himself.
Carney Chukwuemeka
As an option that would fit more within the dual No.10 role that Mount produced his best attacking output in, Chukwuemeka has proved to be an exciting spark when used. However, with too many big names to contend with and consistent managerial changes, he has hardly had the opportunity.
As a brilliant progressor of the ball when in possession, Chukwuemeka is seen as one of the best talents in the country for his position and will be hopeful of increasing his game time dramatically under Pochettino. Although football.london understands loan options will be welcomed for him, there is still the chance to impress Pochettino in pre-season.
Without Mount that becomes just the extra bit easier.
Cesare Casadei
After spending the second half of last season on loan at Reading following on from a summer transfer from Inter Milan, Casadei will be hoping that his performances as one of the standout players at the Under-20 World Cup will be enough to make him a first team option at Stamford Bridge.
He is another player that can arrive in the box at opportune moments and is a threat in the air. He has been a consistent scorer for the club's academy sides in his first year at Cobham and is now looking to take a step up. With that in mind, Mount leaving opens up a chance for him to sneak into the reckoning, even as a back-up choice.
Conor Gallagher
As a player that has long been compared to Mount for his relentless energy, positional sense and drive from midfield, Gallagher was largely competing with the 24-year-old for a spot this season. It was only after his England teammate was ruled out for the latter parts of the season that Gallagher hit his best form.
Although there is heavy interest in him from across Europe, Gallagher now has the chance to step into Mount's boots and grow in stature within the squad. Losing both in one window could be massively damaging, and would leave a chasm to fill.
Enzo Fernandez
This one is a little different as Fernandez started every game after signing in January, but Mount leaving does open up a role further forward for the Argentine.
He isn't at his most influential despite positive early returns in the role when he occupies a deeper space. Like Cesc Fabregas, Fernandez is able to operate in attacking areas, providing final balls that others would miss. With a dearth of creativity, moving him up the field is now a realistic option that was less feasible with Mount in the side.
Moises Caicedo
From a squad point of view and a financial one, Chelsea now have the chance to add fresh legs to their side. Even though Caicedo isn't a like-for-like replacement he is certainly someone that is much more acquirable with the added money provided by selling Mount.
It's far from a done deal just yet but progress is being made and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him come in shortly after Mount departs.
