Mason Mount

Mason Mount's 2021 was filled with notable achievements and impactful performances for Chelsea. On 11 August, he played a crucial role in Chelsea's victory in the UEFA Super Cup, scoring the fourth penalty in the shoot-out to secure the title, marking their second UEFA Super Cup triumph.
Mount's stellar performances earned him recognition, as he was included in the final 30-man shortlist for the 2021 Ballon d'Or. Although Lionel Messi claimed the award, Mount's impressive season saw him finish 19th in the rankings.


In October, Mount showcased his scoring prowess by netting his first goals of the season and securing his first hat-trick for Chelsea in a dominant 7-0 win over Norwich City.
The midfielder continued to shine in December, setting records as the youngest Chelsea player to score in four consecutive Premier League games. He also became the youngest Chelsea player to score 20 Premier League goals in the competition's history.
Mount's outstanding performances throughout December earned him nominations for the Premier League Player of the Month award and Goal of the Month award. Although he didn't win, his contributions were widely recognized.


In April, Mount displayed his versatility by scoring in three consecutive matches across different competitions, showcasing his ability to make an impact in crucial fixtures.
On 11 May, Mount reached double digits in both goals and assists for the season, becoming only the fifth Chelsea player, and the youngest, to achieve this landmark in a single season. However, disappointment followed as Chelsea lost to Liverpool in the FA Cup Final, with Mount missing a penalty in the shootout.
Despite the setback, Mount's remarkable consistency and contributions throughout the season earned him Chelsea's Player of the Season award for the second consecutive year. He became the 12th player in Chelsea's history to win the award more than once, joining the ranks of club legends like Eden Hazard.


Mason Mount faced a challenging start to the 2022-23 season with Chelsea, struggling to contribute goals or assists in the team's first seven matches under manager Thomas Tuchel. Despite featuring in each game, he couldn't make a significant impact on the scoresheet. Following a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League, Tuchel was sacked, and Graham Potter, formerly of Brighton & Hove Albion, was appointed as the new Chelsea head coach.
Mount's fortunes changed in October when he provided two assists in a 3-0 home victory against Wolves, setting up goals for Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic. In a crucial Champions League clash against AC Milan, Mount played a pivotal role, winning a penalty and assisting Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's goal in a 2-0 away win, earning himself the man of the match award. He then scored his first goals of the season with a brace in a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on 16 October.


Mount continued to demonstrate his importance to the team by scoring his first home goal in over a year against AFC Bournemouth on 27 December, helping Chelsea secure a 2-0 victory.
Despite his contributions, Mount made the difficult decision to leave Chelsea, the club where he spent 18 years, rising through its esteemed academy. In a social media video message on 4 July 2023, Mount expressed his gratitude for the support he received from the fans and explained that his decision to depart was based on his career aspirations. He emphasized the bond between himself and the supporters, acknowledging their loyalty and stating that they deserved more than just a written statement.


Mason Mount completed a transfer to Premier League club Manchester United, signing an initial five-year contract with the option to extend for an additional year. United agreed to pay Chelsea a guaranteed transfer fee of £55 million, with the potential for additional add-ons totaling £5 million. Mount was also handed the iconic number seven jersey, a symbol of prestige at the club, previously worn by footballing legends such as Cristiano Ronaldo before his departure in the previous season.
Erik ten Hag, Mount's manager at Manchester United, revealed that the midfielder would have a different role compared to his time at Chelsea. Instead of primarily operating in an attacking role, Mount was expected to play deeper and contribute more to the midfield setup under ten Hag's tactical plans. This shift in position indicated a new challenge for Mount as he embarked on the next chapter of his career at Old Trafford.


Mason Mount's journey with the England national team began with an invitation from manager Gareth Southgate to train with the senior squad for a week ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, following his impressive season with Vitesse. He continued to earn call-ups, eventually making his senior team debut on 7 September 2019 in England's 4–0 home win over Bulgaria in UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying.
Mount scored his first goal for England on 17 November 2019 in a 4–0 away win against Kosovo in UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying. He was subsequently named in the 26-man England squad for the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.


During Euro 2020, Mount faced a setback when he and fellow England player Ben Chilwell were forced to self-isolate after coming into contact with Scotland player Billy Gilmour, who tested positive for COVID-19. Despite this, Mount remained an integral part of the squad.
Mount's contributions for both club and country earned him a spot in the England squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, showcasing his importance to the national team setup.
Mason Mount's personal life reveals his close friendship with fellow England international Declan Rice, which dates back to their childhood. Mount's support for Portsmouth Football Club reflects his admiration for players like Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, and Nwankwo Kanu from his hometown team. He attended Purbrook Park School. Mount demonstrated his commitment to charitable causes by becoming a patron of the organization Together for Short Lives.


However, Mount also faced challenges, notably being targeted in a campaign of harassment by TikToker Orla Melissa Sloan between 2021 and 2023. Sloan was convicted of stalking Mount and former teammate Billy Gilmour, as well as harassment against Ben Chilwell, resulting in a suspended prison term in June 2023.

References

1.  "Mount signs new deal and heads to Vitesse". Chelsea F.C. 24 July 2017. Archived from the original on 7 October 2017.
2. a b "Honours even after first leg of 2015/16 FA Youth Cup Final". The Football Association. 22 April 2016. Archived from the original on 12 August 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
3. "Chelsea win the FA Youth Cup for third successive season". The Football Association. 27 April 2016. Archived from the original on 27 June 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
4. ^ Jump up to:
5. a b "All square in FA Youth Cup Final between Man City and Chelsea". The Football Association. 18 April 2017. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
6. Veevers, Nicholas (26 April 2017). "Chelsea 5–1 Man City". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
7. a b "Paris 1–2 Chelsea: Line-ups". UEFA. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
8. a b "Hazard named Chelsea Player of the Year". Archived from the original on 31 May 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
9. a b c d e f g "M. Mount: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 28 October 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
10. ^ "Vitesse vs. AZ 1–2". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
11. ^ "Swift vs. Vitesse 0–0". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
12. ^ "Vitesse vs. Utrecht 1–1". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.