Report reveals three reasons why Pochettino sees Mason Mount as a ‘key player’ at Chelsea

Mauricio Pochettino wants Mason Mount to be a ‘key player’ in his Chelsea revolution for three reasons as the England international’s future remains up in the air.

Mount is about to enter the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge, where owner Todd Boehly has told him he wants to stay, though has also reportedly told the midfielder he will be sold if he doesn’t agree to new terms.

Losing the 24-year-old on a free at the end of next season isn’t an option for the new Chelsea owners, and if they can’t agree an extension he will be on his way out of the club, with Liverpool and Arsenal thought to be most interested in landing him.

Reports claimed Chelsea had put talks with Mount on hold until the end of the season, when a new permanent manager would be in place, and the Daily Mail claim that, with that new boss set to be Pochettino, Mount’s future looks bright with the Blues.

Pochettino has ‘identified Mount as a someone who can play an integral role in his team next season’.

The former Spurs boss is said to be a big admirer of Mount’s ‘ability on the ball’ as well as his ‘work ethic’, and believes the academy graduate will ‘suit the style he wants to implement’.

Should Mount agree new terms at Chelsea, he will likely be joined in midfield by N’Golo Kante, with a report claiming Pochettino wants to ‘build around’ the Frenchman.

The Argentinian sees Kante as ‘pivotal to providing the protection he needs in front of the back four’ and with his contract up this summer, is very keen to see the 32-year-old offered a new one.

The Blues are ‘optimistic’ Kante will extend his contract beyond this summer and have been ‘negotiating the finer details’ in recent weeks.

Pochettino’s arrival can help as the pair ‘share a mutual appreciation of one another’ and Kante ‘would relish playing for him’.

READ MORE: Chelsea should lean into the Neymar ‘circus’ under Boehly and Pochettino