A particular movie scene came to mind when I decided to write this piece about Mason Mount. You've probably seen it before – it is from The Simpsons Movie – but for those that haven't, allow me to bring you up to speed.
The actions of family patriarch Homer have resulted in the entire town of Springfield being placed under a giant glass dome by the Environmental Protection Agency. Understandably, the extended and eclectic cast of characters are rather peeved and opt to march, burning torches in hand, toward 742 Evergreen Terrace to take vengeance.
Now, replace that hand-drawn mob with the one that instantly emerges on social media when Mount's name is mentioned and you'll understand why I feel a sense of kinship with Homer. And unfortunately, there is no imaginary chainsaw for me to wield to buy some time. So let's get into this.
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Since being incorporated into the first-team squad by Frank Lampard in the summer of 2019, few players have had as big an influence at Chelsea as Mount. He has already made 181 senior appearances for the club he joined at six years old, has already won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, and has twice been crowned Player of the Season.
He has been handed the captaincy by Lampard and Thomas Tuchel, has proved himself an ever-willing leading man in the club's global commercial, marketing and charity activities, and has also become a mainstay of the England starting XI under Gareth Southgate.
Mount has done all this before his 24th birthday – which is in January – and against the backdrop of draining criticism and vitriol from a minority of so-called Chelsea supporters, many of whom have decided to portray the midfielder as an affliction on the Blues side despite his consistent output over the past three years.
Of course, there have been low points and poor performances. In the final of the Carabao Cup last season, Mount did miss gilt-edge chances to put Chelsea firmly in control of the contest. And his failure in the FA Cup final penalty shootout in May ultimately handed the trophy to Liverpool.
The 23-year-old's form has dipped this season. In 21 outings for Chelsea, Mount has just two goals, both of which came in the win at Aston Villa. He has also been less influential in an England shirt, something that was highlighted in the World Cup match against the USA on Friday evening.
It is impossible to know the exact reason why Mount has struggled this term. Fatigue, both mental and physical, would be understandable given he has played more than 300 senior matches since 2017. The constant chopping and changing of his role – from box-to-box midfielder to hard-running number ten to wide playmaker – out of necessity has also not aided his overall development.
There is also the off-field distraction of his contract. Mount's current deal expires in the summer of 2024 and discussions have been held throughout the first half of the campaign over a long-term extension. Yet no deal has been reached and the midfielder will return from the World Cup knowing that in 18 months' time he becomes a free agent.
football.london understands the length of the contract offered to Mount has been a sticking point in negotiations – there is an understandable hesitancy to commit to a six- or seven-year deal at this stage of his career, no matter how lucrative it may be.
The Daily Mail, meanwhile, claims the England international is also hoping to earn a similar salary to Raheem Sterling, who signed a contract worth around £300,000 a week after joining from Man City in the summer. That has led to inevitable condemnation and criticism due to Mount's performances this term.
There should be no debate that Mount is due a significant pay rise at Chelsea. Not only is he one of the lowest-paid members of the first-team squad but he has regularly delivered over the past three seasons.
It shouldn't be conveniently brushed aside that Mount scored or assisted in the Champions League quarter-finals, semi-finals and final on Chelsea's route to winning the competition in 2021. And last season, he became the first Blues player since Eden Hazard to reach double figures in goals and assists in the Premier League.
Mount has proved his worth to Chelsea – and the contract pitched to him by the club's ownership after the World Cup will need to reflect that. Several European rivals are keeping tabs on the academy graduate's situation and the Blues will be in an even weaker bargaining position should Mount enter the final 12 months of his contract this summer. The clock is ticking.
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