Steven Gerrard has already provided a glowing reference of Mason Mount after reports that Liverpool are monitoring the midfielder.
The Guardian reported on Thursday that the Reds and Juventus are 'keeping track' of the 23-year-old's situation at Stamford Bridge, with his current contract ending in 2024 and talks of a new deal on hold until after the World Cup having failing to make any considerable progress since the summer. The report adds that Chelsea do remain confident they can come to an agreement with Mount, but clubs are enquiring as to whether the England international could be lured away in the future.
A player of Mount's quality hardly needs any backing, but the praise he received form ex-Liverpool captain Gerrard is yet more proof of how highly the Chelsea star is regarded among fellow professionals. Speaking last December while in charge of Aston Villa, the Reds legend was asked of his opinion on Mount, whose Chelsea side were due in the Midlands the following day.
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"I’ve watched his progress – of course I have," Gerrard admitted. "He’s a big talent for the country. I’m a massive fan of Mason.
"He plays with a smile on his face. He can create, he can score and he’s already a European Cup winner so I don’t think he needs the likes of myself to big him up or praise him. But I must say I’m a fan. I just hope he doesn’t have such a strong performance at the weekend."
Mount did enjoy a 3-1 Chelsea win that weekend and went on to enjoy his best season at his boyhood club, registering 10 goals and 11 assists in 32 matches to help the Blues qualify for Champions League football. The first part of this season has seen the midfielder's direct influence wane slightly, with two goals and two assists to his name, but his inclusion in Gareth Southgate's England squad is another indication of his value.
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