Player transfers in the Premier League are getting hotter. Established teams like elbowing each other over quality players. In fact, there are also those who try to tempt players from other established teams. Manchester United is almost certain to get Mason Mount from Chelsea. Reportedly, the England national team player will undergo medical tests as a MU player. Mount is contracted until 2028 and can be extended.
MU must spend 55 million pounds to get Mount from Chelsea. Not only that, Chelsea will get an additional payment if in the next five years MU wins a trophy with Mount. On the one hand, Chelsea are lucky because their academy-trained players are valued at quite high prices. Moreover, last season Mount’s performance was not so convincing. Perhaps that is what made the new Chelsea coach, Mauricio Pochettino reluctant to secure Mount in his squad.
On the other hand, buying Moun is an advantage for MU. Since last season, MU coach, Erik Ten Hag has been very keen to get the signature of Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona. However, that effort failed because Barca were reluctant to let De Jong go. When they failed to get De Jong, MU turned to Christian Erikssen and Casemiro. However, this did not necessarily satisfy Ten Hag. Hence, purchasing Mount could be one of the answers to Ten Hag’s efforts to implement his strategy well.
Mount became MU’s first purchase in the transfer market this season. Ten Hag will have options in midfield, especially to coat Bruno Fernandes or also make the game in midfield more dynamic. Mount is a box midfielder. In a sense, he can play a role like Fernandes who moves freely to control and organize play in midfield. Also, he can be a liaison back line and front line.
MU coach, Erik Ten Hag actually paid attention to Mount while still coaching AJax in the 2017/18 season. At that time Mount was still 18 years old and Mount defended Vittese. Ten Hag had intended to get Mount’s signature at that time. Ten Hag’s intention was realized in the transfer market this season. Ten Hag acknowledged Mount’s strengths as a player full of energy and a good understanding of the game. His presence can strengthen the MU squad and provide a new dynamic in the MU squad.
As well as being able to play the role of Fernandes, Mount could take over from Christian Eriksen. Last season, Eriksen appeared quite convincing as Casemiro’s tandem in midfield. However, injuries often haunt the player from Denmark. Therefore, MU’s midfield is often unstable because Casemiro has lost someone who can balance his role in the midfield. Casemiro usually serves as anchor midfielder.
In a way, Casemiro played a role in overcoming the opponent’s attacks before entering the defense. Meanwhile, Erikssen will sort the ball when it is won. Erikssen’s role can be taken over by Mount next season. In fact, MU’s midfield is getting more dynamic because it can form a fairly solid central midfielder trio, namely Casemiro, Mount and Fernandes if Ten Hag plays a three midfielder formation.
Mount appeared quite convincing when he was still coached by Frank Lampard. He played as left midfielder in a three midfielder scheme. However, Mount’s role can help Casemiro if Ten Hag sticks to a 4-2-3-1 formation next season. In addition, in terms of age, Mount is younger than Erikssen and Mount has a fairly capable defensive capacity. With this, Casemiro has a tandem that can keep up with him in blocking the opponent’s attacks.
Mount’s presence can provide new energy to MU next season. The MU squad is increasingly dynamic, where Ten Hag has several alternatives in midfield. This is also a solution for MU when midfielders like Fernandes or Casemiro are absent. Mount can be an alternative to cover the absence of these midfielders.
When MU was lucky to get Mount, Chelsea needed to think further about letting his player go to his closest rival. Indeed, Mount appeared unconvincing last season. The problem is because of a change in strategy that makes the player not feel comfortable.
Last season, Mount sometimes played as a striker. Instead of giving Mount a new role, it actually made Mount appear less than optimal. However, the player must have lost confidence because he failed to bring out his best. Chelsea is temporarily renewing its squad by letting most of the players leave. Of course, this is according to Pochettino’s approval as the new coach.
The problem was when Chelsea let them go to the closest rivals in the Premier League. Chelsea will even face complications if the players who are not needed appear happy and get along with their new club.
Mount was once seen as the latest version of “Frank Lampard”. However, his quality declined following the change of coach from Thomas Tuchel to Graham Potter. Therefore, Mount actually only needs a coach who knows his position and best abilities. At MU, Mount could become a new mainstay if Ten Hag knows Mount’s best position. Moreover, Ten Hag had observed Mount when he was still the coach of Ajax.
Mount can strengthen MU’s performance. It can also be a strong challenge for Chelsea, who are currently improving. Letting Mount go to the nearest rival could be disastrous. The aftermath was regret for letting such an important asset go to a closest rival.
ASL
