THOMAS TUCHEL pledged his heart to Mason Mount – but not a first-team place.
The new Chelsea boss is the latest coach to be won over by the England star’s personality and performances.
Mason Mount has already impressed his new Chelsea boss after his display against SpursCredit: Rex Features
Thomas Tuchel had benched the youngster for his first match in chargeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Mount, 22, shrugged off being benched for Tuchel’s first match in charge by bouncing back and forcing his way into his new gaffer’s starting line-up for his next two games.
And the hug he received from his manager after starring in their 1-0 win at Tottenham on Thursday, suggests Tuchel is now nutty about M&M.
But the German warned the homegrown ace he is still not a guaranteed starter.
Tuchel said: “There is no doubting he is a team player and the potential he has.
“We didn’t choose him for the first game because we opted for a slightly different profile on the two No10 positions.
“But when he came in he showed what a big influence he can have also from the bench, and from here there are no guarantees for anybody. Not even for Mason right now.
“It’s easy with him because he leaves his heart on the pitch but everybody else does the same thing.
“It’s a team effort and Mason is the first to agree with this and this is what we need.
FRIDAY NIGHT POKER: Play TONIGHT at 8pm to win a share of $5,500
“Is there room to improve? Yes. Is there a lot of room to improve? Yes also and there are no gifts.
“He has to earn his place at every training session and in every match.
“He is a super-nice guy and it’s totally clear. He knows this, he is a competitor and it’s why we will keep pushing him like we do the others.”
Mount was super against Spurs and would have capped his fine display with a goal had he, by his own admission, packed his shooting boots.
Tuchel, who has won two and drawn one of his three matches since taking over from Frank Lampard, was asked afterwards what he said to Mount as he gave him a hug at the final whistle.
He said: “I was just happy we won and happy with his performance. You can be sure Mase leaves his heart on the pitch for Chelsea and this is what we need. He’s an absolute team player.
“He’s still young and there’s still room to improve but I told him ‘Don’t worry, you can be more decisive and even more dangerous with your decision-making in the last 20 metres. But if we have to suffer, we suffer and then we defend.’
“I am very happy with his performances and I told the team it’s a good good feeling if things get complicated or if things are not too easy with the second or third goals.
“We have to experience moments where we finish a game like this. You have to experience it.
“It’s not enough just for the coach to tell you and this is what we did today. We had Mason coming from a No9 and dropping to a No10 position because we wanted to have two wide strikers, and find Mason the spaces in-between the lines. He did good.”
⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge
Mason Mount opens up over Chelsea sacking Frank Lampard and admits it’s tough
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
