Chelsea manager Graham Potter has played down the notion that Mason Mount has played way too often recently after an underwhelming performance in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.
The 23-year-old midfielder started in his favourite position as a number eight, alongside Ruben Loftus-Cheek, so there was a lot of expectation on him in the game.
Mount, unfortunately, had a quiet game, and only managed to create one chance in the game.
Chelsea were poor overall, so he was not exactly the problem, but he did not look as energetic as he usually does, especially when out of possession.
Mount only made one tackle and one clearance, although he still managed to win six out of 10 duels for the ball in the 78 minutes he was on the pitch.
After the game, Potter was asked whether he regretted playing Mount in midweek against Dinamo Zagreb as the midfielder did look himself.
“When I speak to Mason, he likes to play and be in a rhythm of playing games,” the Chelsea manager responded in his post-match press conference.
“You can always reflect after the event and make a different decision, but Mason likes to play and get in that rhythm.”
Mount was not the only Chelsea player in this situation, however.
Cesar Azpilicueta, Jorginho, and Trevoh Chalobah also played the full 90 minutes against Dinamo and made the starting line-up against Arsenal.
Chelsea’s extensive injury list does not make it easier for Potter to pick his team, but he might have made a mistake not resting more players in midweek’s dead rubber.
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