Raheem Sterling has heaped praise on Mason Mount ahead of England's World Cup campaign getting underway. The Chelsea winger believes his teammate still has plenty of potential to realise, and can be among the world's best.
The duo have arrived in Qatar ahead of the Three Lions' first match of the tournament against Iran on Monday, and will hope their international side can find the form that Chelsea have struggled to maintain as the season has progressed.
Both players have personally struggled to hit the heights they are capable of but remain among the Blues' most productive players. Sterling is Chelsea's top goalscorer on five goals and adding two assists, while Mount has provided more assists than his teammates with three, and netted twice.
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It's clear Mount has left an impression on Sterling as both an England and Chelsea player, and the former Manchester City star expects the 23-year-old to prove vital in the future.
Sterling told GQ Sports: "Mason, another top trainer, and a player that’s got a high potential ceiling. A player that’s been producing for Chelsea and with the national team.
"He is a player that we are definitely going to need in the future because he has all the qualities to be one of the very best midfielders.”
It's a message that may particularly hit home for the likes of Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali. If they were left under any illusion about Mount's importance after twice winning the club's player of the year away, they will realise the crucial nature of negotiating the midfielder's next contract.
Reports suggest the likes of Liverpool are already assessing the situation, and with just over 18 months remaining on Mount's deal, the clock is beginning to tick. The Blues have seen a number of players reach the final year of their contract in recent times and Mount will be one they hope does not reach that stage.
The likes of Antonio Rudiger, Jorginho and N'Golo Kante have all been more advanced in their careers, which made any decision more complicated. That is not the case with Mount, as Sterling's hint at the growth the 23-year-old still has to undergo indicates.
Signing Mount and Reece James to extended deals was an early priority for the new owners and September's success with James, despite the wing-back having longer remaining on his current deal, has served only to highlight extended negotiations.
The length of the deal has proved a stumbling block, with the Blues preferring lengthy contracts as can be seen with James and Armando Broja being tied down for five and six years respectively.
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