Mason Mount has told fans he "can't wait to get back to training" despite the Chelsea midfielder having been ruled out for the rest of the season.
After a difficult campaign for the club academy graduate, amid struggles to hold down a first team place under Graham Potter or interim boss Frank Lampard, he's been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge. And when Lampard confirmed this week he required surgery for a pelvic problem, it left fans fearing he'd played his last game for the club.
Mount, 24, has been the subject of interest from both Liverpool and Arsenal. And the impending appointment of Mauricio Pochetinno could now be critical in deciding his future, with the Argentine seemingly needing to make a quick decision on the England international.
Following criticism of his recent displays from Chelsea fans, Mount announced last week he was coming off social media platform Twitter. However, he has remained on Instagram, and appeared upbeat on Wednesday as he posted a picture to his 5.6 million followers from his hospital bed.
"Had a minor procedure yesterday to sort out a discomfort I had for a while," he wrote. "Everything went well and I’m feeling good. Time to rest but can’t wait to get back to training in the coming weeks! Thanks for all your messages of support and a massive thank you to the medical team, doctors and nurses for looking after me."
Replies from fans implied that the Chelsea faithful want him very much to remain at the club, with @louise_hartje2 writing: "Get well soon @masonmount and please stay at Chelsea!!!!" @_locky_ added: Strength to you and good recovery Stay in Chelsea Bro, we need you."
The 2020/21 Champions League winner has a year left on his current deal, and with Todd Boehly now facing financial fair play issues amid the club's failure to qualify for Europe's elite competition this season, Mount's transfer value is unlikely to be extortionate. And former Liverpool man Danny Murphy has claimed he's an ideal candidate to sort out the midfield issues at Anfield.
"I think they [Liverpool] need two or three [new midfield players]," he said on talkSPORT. “Ox [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain] will go, [James] Milner will go, [Naby] Keita will go. Mount would be good value because he's got a year left. You're not going to have to pay silly money for him."
After making his debut in August 2019, Mount has played 195 games in all competitions for Chelsea, scoring 33 goals. He's also won 36 caps for England, and was part of Gareth Southgate's squad for the World Cup in Qatar last year.