‘I gave the ball away too much’: 23-year-old Chelsea player admits his passing was poor in yesterday’s display

Add as preferred source on Google

Chelsea’s Mason Mount has criticised his own game by claiming his passing radar was off during yesterday’s game in the Champions League.

Chelsea recorded a 2-1 home victory in midweek against Dinamo Zagreb, which was a strong end to a successful Champions League group stage.

The Blues qualified as group winners ahead of runners-up AC Milan and are top seeds for the round of 16.

Graham Potter’s side now have three huge games coming up before the winter break to make room for the World Cup.

They face Arsenal and Newcastle United in the Premier League, who are both above them in the division table. Also, there’s a mouth-watering Carabao Cup third round tie against Manchester City.

Mount criticised his passing

Mount, who was awarded UEFA’s man of the match against Dinamo Zagreb, did actually highlight a weakness in his game despite feeling good on the pitch.

The 23-year-old definitely thinks he was a bit sloppy in the passing department.

In fairness, Mount’s passing accuracy of 77.5 per cent was the second lowest in his side yesterday. Raheem Sterling was the only Blues teammate with a worse passing accuracy on the night (76.7 per cent).

“We changed the formation a little bit,” Mount explained.

“It allowed me to drift and connect the midfield, and get forward as well. I felt good. It was a nice position for me.

“When I look at a game the negatives stick out in my head, and I gave the ball away too much. That’s how I am, that’s what I think about after the game, but I did some good bits as well, so I’ll take it.”

Mount may have overdone it a few times in possession, but he looked a positive threat with some progressive moves from the midfield up to the top end of the pitch.

The England international was very unfortunate not to score another free-kick this season, with the goalkeeper clawing out an effort that was heading for the top corner.

He got the home fans off their seat with a mesmerising Cruyff turn in the midfield, too.

The creative playmaker is going to lose possession at times, so Potter’s message to him should be keeping playing with confidence and inventiveness.

Billy Gilmour applauded the performance of his former teammate on Instagram.

Keep up to date with all the latest Chelsea news and opinion by following The Chelsea Chronicle’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.