Arsenal

Arsenal

Premier League • England

Chelsea star would ‘work well’ at Arsenal, as big hint on role is dropped amid transfer speculation

Mason Mount, Reece James, Chelsea, October 2022

Charles Watts thinks Mason Mount would “work well” at Arsenal, who have “held talks” over him, though he might not immediately start.

Mount has had a good career so far, at Chelsea and otherwise. The Blues academy graduate succeeded in spells at Vitesse Arnheim and Derby County before he was elevated to the first-team at Stamford Bridge.

Whether that would have happened were Chelsea not under transfer embargo is a question that will never be answered.

However, his role under Frank Lampard at Derby, who then became the Blues manager, certainly helped. Indeed, Lampard used him as a regular while he was in charge at Chelsea, and in Mount’s first season, he scored seven goals and provided six assists.

The following seasons he continued to be impactful, especially last term. Indeed, that was by far Mount’s best, as he scored 11 league goals and provided 10 assists in 32 games.

Off the back of a very good campaign, and with his contract ticking down, it would seem fair to assume Chelsea would want to tie him down.

They do have a ‘renewed sense of optimism’ over Mount remaining at the club, as per recent reports.

The reason that’s renewed is contract negotiations were apparently paused, as he wanted to be paid in line with new signings, and an agreement couldn’t be reached in order to give him that wish.

That’s led to interest from a few Premier League rivals: Liverpool and Arsenal are both reported to be keen on Mount.

Mount fits Arsenal but may not start immediately

GOAL journalist Watts feels a move to the Emirates would be fitting for Mount. However, he feels there’s a chance the Chelsea star doesn’t start for the Gunners straight away.

“I think Mason Mount is a good player. I’ve always liked Mason Mount and I think in that sort of number eight role, in [Mikel] Arteta’s system, I think he’d work pretty well,” he said on YouTube.

“I wouldn’t say necessarily he will come in and be a starter but you know we’re looking at Arsenal’s squad at the moment and they need to improve.”

It would be somewhat surprising if Mount wasn’t to start for Arsenal. Granted, they have been one of the best sides in the league this season, but Mount has been one of Chelsea’s finest assets for a few seasons and could well be the same for the Gunners.

Arsenal confirmed to be monitoring Mount

Watts has also confirmed that Mount is in Arsenal’s thoughts. He has, however, identified some boxes that would need to be ticked before they would complete the signing.

“And so, I think a lot of it would depend on how much a transfer fee would be, what sort of wages he would demand,” Watts said.

“But I think Chelsea are open to selling him this summer because they know that he’s not going to sign a new contract or it’s looking very unlikely he’s going to sign a new contract.

“And Arsenal are sort of monitoring it. I don’t know if they’re going to press a button and actually firm up their interest and try and sign him. We’ll have to wait and see when the season ends and the summer transfer window opens.

“But he is certainly a player that they are looking at and have held talks about.”

READ MORE: Arsenal move for Man City star ‘makes sense’ as Zinchenko shows how sensational signing would fit