Gabby Agbonlahor believes Mason Mount didn’t want to take a penalty for Chelsea in the FA Cup final yesterday.
Speaking on talkSPORT, the former striker saw something in Mount that made him think he wasn’t keen on stepping up in the shoot-out against Liverpool.
The England international’s saved penalty ultimately handed the trophy to Jurgen Klopp, following 120-minutes of pure entertainment.
Just like the Carabao Cup finale earlier this season, neither of the Premier League sides could break the deadlock in normal or additional time.
The dreaded drama from 12-yards ensued, with Liverpool taking an early advantage after Cesar Azpilicueta hit the post.
But the Blues were indebted to Edouard Mendy, who denied his compatriot Sadio Mane, sending the tie to sudden death.
This do-or-die setting didn’t last long, however.
Hakim Ziyech and Diogo Jota scored, something Mount failed to do.
He could only turn away in pure disappointment as his shot was saved by Alisson.
Kostas Tsimikas went on to tuck away the match-winning penalty, handing Liverpool their second trophy of the campaign.
For the second time in just a few months, Chelsea were left feeling sorry for themselves thanks to Klopp’s men.
Mount missed penalty in FA Cup final
None of Thomas Tuchel’s group looked more heartbroken than the academy graduate, who felt the weight of the loss on his shoulders.
Yet, Agbonlahor reckoned Mount had already accepted defeat before he’d even taken the penalty.
“Mason Mount, for me, he looked like he didn’t fancy a penalty,” he said.
“Is that why he didn’t take one in the first five? Because I’d put him before Azpilicueta to take a penalty and when he took a penalty, he looked like a penalty take who didn’t fancy it.
“Maybe there would’ve been less pressure if he’d taken on earlier on.
“Mason Mount, Jordan Henderson, you back those technical layers to take a penalty before a centre-half.”
Fans might question the running order of Chelsea’s penalty clients.
Azpilicueta stepped up to take the second ahead of Mount, who was made to wait until the seventh round of attempts to make the long walk from the touchline.
But in Tuchel’s defence, he didn’t have many recognised takers left on the field.
Romelu Lukaku and Christian Pulisic had already been replaced, whilst Timo Werner and Saul Niguez were left on the bench.
It’s the small margins that matter so much.
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