Thomas Tuchel explained that while he’d like to give Mason Mount a rest, he expects the midfielder to feature heavily in the final few games.
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Thomas Tuchel has stressed that Chelsea cannot afford to rely too heavily on Mason Mount, following a defeat in the FA Cup final against Leicester City. Tuchel insists the midfielder will be “absolutely key” during a crucial three-match stretch for the club. The 22-year-old managed just one assist and no goals in his last six domestic appearances for the Blues, having been denied late on at Wembley by the reflexes of Kasper Schmeichel. When it was put to Tuchel that Mount failed to make an impact just days after a similar performance against Arsenal, he explained that the midfielder is feeling the effects of a long season.
Mount has been in fine form for Chelsea this season but was not his usual self as the Blues were beaten by underdogs Leicester City in the FA Cup final. Chelsea could really do with the England international getting back to his best in time for the upcoming Champions League final clash with Manchester City, but Tuchel has suggested his influential star could do with some rest.
“We tried to give him a little break because it was a lot after the [Real] Madrid games and in between when it was so decisive for us,” Tuchel explained to Chelsea’s official website.
“It was only two days break after the [Manchester] City game. We tried to make him rest to conserve his form. I agree he’s struggled a bit to have the same impact that he usually has.”
“Today he wanted a bit too much too early in the game, he could have played with a bit more composure. But don’t forget, if it wasn’t for the save from Schmeichel, he’s the one who scores the equalizer.”
The 22-year-old midfielder has barely been out of Tuchel’s team, becoming a player the German knows he can rely on.
Like Lampard and England manager Gareth Southgate, Tuchel has quickly developed a huge admiration for Mount, admitting it enthusiastically whenever the opportunity arises. The English midfielder is a manager’s dream and always ends up finding his way into their teams because of the range of qualities he possesses.
Technically gifted, versatile, reliable fitness-wise, a relentless worker who delivers in training as well as games, can run all day and takes it personally if he loses, Mount does all the right things and ticks all the boxes for his bosses.
