It's never been easy to pigeon-hole Mason Mount - perhaps that’s his problem.
What is he, exactly? Where does he excel? What does he bring to the table? He can play. Of course, he can play. A Champions League medal and 32 England caps at the age of 23 proves there is an ability to perform at the highest level.
But where does he fit in? Like life, football never stands still. It waits for no-one. The only constant is change. And at Chelsea the deal is clear: Perform, or else it will be changed. Quickly. Just lately, Mount has been coming under the spotlight.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly’s decision to create noise at Stamford Bridge is asking questions of the old guard. And the central attacking midfielder/No. 10/midfielder is under scrutiny. Already the rumour mill is ticking over. AC Milan winger Rafael Leao is on the radar. RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku has agreed a deal to join next summer. Quite how this affects Mount is anyone’s guess. One is a winger, the other a striker.
But that’s the problem when you don’t have a defined role. You’re always under pressure. And, with his international place under similar threat, Mount chose his moment well yesterday at Stamford Bridge. New boss Graham Potter is still feeling his way with a group who don’t know him - and vice-versa. Chelsea’s chief is trying an assortment of players in different formations - an attempt to garner information while still working out what it is that he has to work with.
As if to prove a point, Mount was deployed just off striker Kai Havertz, charged with flitting in and around the German international. In the end, it worked out just fine. The academy graduate chose his moment well. The Blues had been scratching around for an opening goal against opponents who are down on their luck. Mount had been busy without convincing in his role. Christian Pulisic, in particular, could have helped out by netting one of umpteen first-half chances that fell his way.
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In the end, it was a lovely right-wing cross that surprisingly found Wolves’ Nelson Semedo protecting his back post with two blue shirts at his back. Havertz headed into the net - not with much conviction, it must be said - and Mount’s assists’ tally increased by one. It was about time. One other assist in his previous nine games was being used as a stick by his detractors. Nine minutes later, however, came a glimpse as to why Mount remains a valuable asset. Pulisic, who had struggled during the opening half, had made tracks down the left but needed support.
He found it in Mount who swivelled and delivered a lovely reverse ball into the feet of the American who had set off on a run and whose finish defeated Wolves’ keeper Jose Sa comfortably. It was a reminder too to England boss Gareth Southgate, himself coming under fire for persevering with certain players when form dictates that he should be offering a chance to others. Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers certainly thinks so. James Maddison can count himself unlucky not to have received a call.
There are signs too that Southgate too is cooling on Mount. He didn’t start in either of the last Nations League fixtures - although again the Chelsea man provided a reminder with an equaliser in the 3-3 draw with Germany after jumping off the bench. Mount should have enough in the bank to retain the faith of the national team manager ahead of the World Cup. But Potter made seven changes against Wolves. He left Raheem Sterling, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Reece James and a host of others to enjoy an afternoon off.
Those names speak for themselves. The watching footballing public understands what they do. Mason Mount’s problem - for all his experience and honours - doesn’t. When it does, perhaps then he will be pigeon-holed as a talent both his club - and country - cannot do without.
