Micah Richards claims Chelsea’s Mason Mount has “struggled for consistency” this season at club level, but is still confident he can make an important contribution at the World Cup.
Mount, along with Blues teammates Raheem Sterling and Conor Gallagher, is currently out in Qatar preparing for the start of the World Cup.
The 23-year-old does have some good international experience under his belt, but it will be his first taste of the World Cup stage.
In our view, he was always a shoe-in to make Gareth Southgate’s 26-man England squad.
However, the attacking midfielder hasn’t been in the kind of form this season he’s shown in recent years at Stamford Bridge. He’s scored just two goals in 21 Blues appearances across all competitions.
Mount struggled for consistency
Pundit Micah Richards has highlighted what’s been a difficult individual campaign so far for Mount.
He is still backing the playmaker to overcome his inconsistent form at the World Cup.
“Another Chelsea player who has found things a challenge. He has played in a number of different roles and struggled for consistency but there is no doubt whatsoever about Southgate’s thoughts on him,” Richards told the Daily Mail.
“I rate him highly and he can do important things for England in so many key areas.”
Mount has set the bar high at Chelsea and there’s big expectation on his shoulders, so it’s a lot easier to spot a small drop off.
It’s been a turbulent season for the Blues players so far with two different managers. The poor injury luck at the club has been in full flow, too.
If any player in the squad should be cut a bit of slack, Mount is definitely near the top of the list.
Chelsea desperately need him fit and firing post-World Cup to improve the team’s results, so perhaps the critics can hold off for a few months longer.
Alan Shearer has said he would start Mount in England’s World Cup opener against Iran.
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