Why Chelsea must deploy Mason Mount in his best position and not shoehorn him in
Cameron Smith
- 8 Mar 2022 20:35 GMT
- 4 min read
Mason Mount doesn't quite fit in this Chelsea side. It's a strange thought given how frequently he's been played by Thomas Tuchel, but the Englishman doesn't seem at home in the current system.
While he has been used as a wide attacking midfielder during Tuchel's time at the club, Mount had rarely, if ever, played so far forward in his career.
A central midfielder by definition, Mount as such by Frank Lampard at both Derby County and Chelsea, with the England international playing as a left-sided central midfielder.
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Under Tuchel, however, Mount has been used further forward, with the switch to a 3-4-3 affecting his game more than most of the squad. Despite this, Mount has been a favourite of Tuchel's, with his high-energy style catching the German manager's fancy, seen by the fact that only three outfield players have amassed more Premier League minutes than Chelsea's No.19 this season.
Mount's talent has seen him flourish in an unfamiliar role. However, given it's over 12 months on from Tuchel's appointment, the role may not be so unfamiliar.
In any case, Mount isn't a player who necessarily suits the position he's most regularly taken up for Chelsea. Not to criticise a manager who delivered Chelsea the Champions League, but Mount's best qualities don't exactly lend themselves to playing so close to goal, and his weaknesses are more exposed.
Playing so far forward limits Mount's ability to control the tempo of the game, which is something he did so successfully for the youth teams, and while Chelsea have others to execute this when Mount is playing as an attacking midfielder, his weaknesses are shown.
One element of Mount's game that is perfect for how Tuchel has used him is the way he operates in the inside channels. Down the right flank between centre-back and full-back, Mount is deadly. Incisive movement is a staple of his game, and he' perfected the art of the inside channel run. However, Chelsea lack a directness with him further forward.
While his runs are excellent, Mount isn't a dribbler, he isn't someone you'd choose to beat a full-back one-on-one. This limits the way Chelsea attack, and they are often forced to channel their attacks to the other flank where one of Christian Pulisic or Callum Hudson-Odoi is waiting.
Mount is a talented long passer, with his switches of play a particular strength of his. Furthermore, his defensive work-rate and know-how lends itself to a role slightly deeper than he currently plays at Chelsea.
Where should Mount play at Chelsea?
In the 4-0 win over Burnley in March, Tuchel made a switch at half-time. Mount went from being in the front three with Pulisic and Kai Havertz, to playing deeper to form a midfield three.
From a lacklustre start, Chelsea came to life with this new shape in the second-half and blew Burnley away. Reece James' opener certainly changed the tide, but Mount's altered position also played a role.
He felt more natural in the position, both Pulisic and Havertz were given slightly more freedom, while James and Saul, the wing-backs, were given even more license to get forward. It resulted in a dominant victory, and three vital points.
Interestingly Mount accumulated 55 passes in his 78 minutes on the field during that game; he's only bettered that tally once this year, with 60 in 90 minutes against Wolves. Mount also had a pass accuracy of 92.7%, his best since September.
He was more involved in play, and just like he did against Burnley at Turf Moor in 2020/21, Mount helped set the tempo. His final third productivity was down, but if Mount is able to help facilitate those around him, he will be a far more valuable commodity for Chelsea.
Not only that, but Pulisic and Havertz linked up fluidly throughout the Burnley clash, and their relationship looked innate. With space to operate in, and Mount progressing the ball forward, the pair could develop nicely together.
