Ben Chilwell has urged Mason Mount to stay at Chelsea and reject a move to Manchester United.
Mount, 24, has been heavily linked with the Red Devils in recent weeks as Erik ten Hag tries to bolster his squad ahead of the new season. United could be looking to add midfield reinforcements this summer and Mount is high up on their list of transfer targets, alongside a new centre forward.
Arsenal and Liverpool have also been linked with a move for Mount, who has one-year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge and might be available for around £55million. Chelsea need to sell to pave the way for new players after spending almost £600m in the past 12 months and Mount is one they are wiling to get off their wage bill.
However, Chilwell doesn't want Mount to leave. Off the field, the pair are close and have been spending the weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix. When asked about Mount's future, Chilwell told Sky Sports: "It's none of my business personally but he is my best mate so I would love him to stay."
Meanwhile, Reece James was quizzed on Chelsea team-mate Mount and admitted the whole dressing room would be unhappy to see him depart. He said: "If he goes, everyone will be sad to see him go."
Mount was also questioned about the proposed transfer interest from United while on the grid at the Spanish GP, but refused to answer whether the rumours are correct. He said: "I am here to enjoy this race today, it's an amazing day and I cannot wait to watch it."
As for Chelsea, they are set for an important summer ahead after last term's disastrous 12th-place finish. The Blues won just 11 Premier League matches all season and slumped to their lowest finish in more than two decades. This was despite spending so much money and investing in big-name stars.
But it has not worked for Todd Boehly so far. After Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Frank Lampard failed to find the magic formula, the task has been set for Pochettino to turn it around. He has signed a two-year deal at the Blues with an option of a third and Chilwell is excited for the new season.
"We are very excited," the left-back added. "We've got a big pre-season, new manager, everyone knows the players we have got, so it's up to us now to go out there and make next season a good one. He [Pochettino] is a great manager and everyone is excited to work with him."
James is also looking forward to working under Pochettino. He continued: "It has been a tough year. We have had a lot of injuries. We didn't finish in the best position but hopefully next year will be better. Everyone says he is a great manager and next season hopefully we find our feet early and build a good strong."
