Potter offers huge update on ‘important contract’ decision for Chelsea star amid complicated talks

Graham Potter has come to the defence of Mason Mount who is yet to sign a contract extension at Chelsea.

The 24-year-old is out of contract next summer and talks haven’t reached an agreement despite discussions taking place for several months. Chelsea are prepared to make a sign-or-leave decision this summer.

Should Mount not agree to an extension, the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership will allow the England international to leave in order to cash in on the academy graduate instead of risking the possibility of him leaving for free next summer.

Mount has attracted interest from Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City, with Jurgen Klopp’s side increasingly confident of acquiring Mount should he leave Chelsea.

Chelsea want Mount to sign in line with their new wage structure. Boehly and Co want to offer incentivised and longer term deals, which Reece James agreed to, as have the majority of the new signings from last summer and January.

Head coach Graham Potter was asked about Mount’s future again ahead of their Premier League clash against Leicester City this weekend, which the midfielder will miss as he continues to recover from a lower abdomen problem.

Potter admitted: “Ultimately, it’s between the club and Mason. I’ve spoken to him numerous times about his situation, football and life generally.

“My feelings for Mason are clear. He’s a fantastic person, firstly, but sometimes these things happen, they are just complicated. It’s best that I speak little about it and let them get on with and decide what’s right for both parties.”

On wanting Mount to stay, Potter added: “Yeah, but I’m not naive. I know it’s an important time for him and an important contract. These things have to be right for him and his family and it’s important that he makes a decision on that basis.”

Mount will miss his third game in a row due to injury and Potter revealed the midfielder is keen to become injury free in order to help the team.

The Chelsea boss concluded: “He wants to play. At the moment he’s suffering from a slight injury. He probably needs a little bit more time before he’s available properly.

“He is happy around the place and wants to help the team, that is normal with Mason. He wants to help, wants the team to win, be injury free, and play football.”

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