Former Arsenal defender William Gallas has urged Mason Mount to stay and fight for his place at Chelsea amid increased transfer interest from Liverpool.
The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to Anfield in recent months after struggling for form under Graham Potter at the Blues this season. Mount has scored just three goals in 32 appearances this season, including one in his last 14 Premier League matches.
For a player of Mount's ability, that simply is not good enough. However, the England ace has been hotly tipped to join Jurgen Klopp's Reds at the end of the season as they look to bolster their midfield options.
Mount has just over a year left on his current deal at the Blues and could be available for a cut price this summer. But former France international Gallas believes he should battle for his spot in the Chelsea side, rather than move to pastures new.
"I don't understand what is going on with Mason," Gallas told Genting Casino. "It is very difficult for me to understand that situation. When Frank Lampard was there, followed by Thomas Tuchel, he had several great seasons.
"The contract speculation doesn't help him, but I don’t know if it is a problem. Even if you are renewing your contract, that should be the job of your agent and you have to stay focused with what you are doing on the pitch.
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"The best way to get what you want with your contract is to perform, it is that simple. It is not to be angry and to let your performances drop, the best thing to do is to perform. You have to show the board that they are wrong because you deserve to be in the starting XI, you deserve to stay at Chelsea and you deserve to get what you are asking for.
"You have to show it on the pitch, and if you do that, the fans will be with you so there will be more pressure on the club. The fans will protest and start to ask why isn’t Mason Mount getting what he asks for? They will pressure the board to give him that. That’s why he has to react in the right way."
It was reported last month that talks over a new contract for Mount were put on hold as the club and the player were 'a long way apart' on coming to an agreement. According to the Daily Mail, negotiations between Mount's representatives and the club were halted after he rejected an offer as he felt it was below what others are earning.
This has seen Liverpool supposedly enter the race for his signature, with the attacking midfielder impressing in matches against Klopp's side over the years. But Gallas does not think he would fit in on Merseyside.
"He’s a Chelsea boy, he is from the academy," Gallas added. "Of course, we may not know all the information, maybe he wants to leave. But if he wants to stay, don’t go down the route of getting upset.
"I don’t think he is a player who will fit in at Liverpool. Mason Mount is more like a playmaker; when Frank Lampard was the manager, he was almost like the playmaker.
"At Liverpool it is completely different, he won’t have the same impact like he had with Chelsea. He can still have that impact at Chelsea."
