Chelsea star Mason Mount has spoken out on speculation about his future at Stamford Bridge, with talks over a contract renewal stalling.
The 23-year-old is set to feature for England in Qatar after being included in Gareth Southgate's 26-man World Cup squad. Mount and the Blues have agreed to pause negotiations over a contract extension until he returns to Cobham, with both camps feeling positive that an agreement can be reached.
Chelsea remain confident that Mount will sign a new deal with the club despite recent reports suggesting Liverpool and Juventus are monitoring the English midfielder's situation as he enters the final 18 months of his current contract. Todd Boehly is set to revamp Graham Potter's midfield options in the coming transfer windows, with the futures of both N'Golo Kante and Jorginho still uncertain, along with the likes of Frenkie de Jong and Jude Bellingham being linked with a move to west London.
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Mount has insisted that he will not be distracted by uncertainty around his future as he battles to win a place in the England team, coming up against the likes of Phil Foden and James Maddison for their World Cup opener, as per the Evening Standard. The 23-year-old said: “I have always been so focused on my football since I was in the academy.
“I know now there is a lot more media focus on me, but I do not look too much into that. I block it out.”
football.london understands that one of the main factors causing negotiations to drag on is down to the length of the new deal beign offered. Reports had suggested Mount has already rejected a new seven-year deal offered to him, with the 23-year-old wanting a higher base salary to represent his importance to the team.
Mount is clearly fully focused on the task at hand out in Qatar, and the Chelsea star wants to become one of the key leaders in the England camp. Mount added: “We are a very together group where everyone knows their role.
“You also have leaders who step up in the big games, and as a player, that is always something I want to do and what I want to be. I want to lead and play a big part. But we are all together in this tournament. If you start or don’t start, you want to come on and have an impact, be good around the boys.”
The Three Lions begin their World Cup campaign with a group-stage match against Iran on Monday, November 21. Mount is likely to start the first game of the tournament as James Maddison continues to struggle with injury and considering Southgate's trust in the Blues' star.
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