Arsenal legend, Paul Merson, has it out at Chelsea for making their first ‘mind-blowing’ mistake of manager Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure by allowing midfielder Mason Mount to join Manchester United.
Mount has just over 12 months remaining on his current contract with Chelsea.
Chelea’s hierarchy are unwilling to offer the England international a deal that would draw him level with the club’s top earners.
As a result, Mount has decided to leave his boyhood club – Chelsea, this summer.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool have expressed an interest in Mount, but Man United look set to win the first significant transfer battle of the summer.
Man United are said to have agreed personal terms with Mount, and although there is a discrepancy around the transfer fee as negotiations between the two clubs are ongoing and a breakthrough is reported to be imminent.
Pochettino was understood to be keen on retaining Mount’s services at Stamford Bridge.
However, Merson is stunned that Chelsea have opted against ceding to the 24-year-old’s demands and risk upsetting their new manager – Pochettino.
“I cannot believe Chelsea are letting Mason Mount go,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“We saw it last season with Antonio Rudiger, who was outstanding and one of the best defenders at the club. He asked for more money, and they did not give him it, and then they bought Kalidou Koulibaly for £33m on a four-year contract which works out as more money than what they would give Rudiger.
“Now they are doing it with Mount. He is one of their own, he has not had a very good season, but they are judging it just on one season.
“The year before he was Chelsea’s best player. He was one of the first names on the teamsheet for England. Now they are letting him go. It’s mind-blowing.”
He added, “They will bring someone in who will probably take another year to get used to the league because they will have played abroad.
“You are also letting a very good footballer go to Manchester United or Liverpool, who Chelsea are fighting with to get into the top four next season. You could not write it.
“How can you let him go to a club that could majorly haunt you? United won’t believe their luck if they get him.”
