Liverpool have struggled to repeat the high standards set over recent seasons but will be hoping to close the gap on the top four with a victory over Newcastle United on Saturday evening.
Another side that have failed to reach the standards expected of them is Chelsea. The west London side lost away at Dortmund on Wednesday night and currently sit one place behind the Reds in 10th position in the Premier League.
A possible summer swoop for Mason Mount has been suggested as Jürgen Klopp seeks to rebuild his midfield. The England international was expected to sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge, but so far an agreement has not been forthcoming.
On the latest episode of our Journo Insight Show, we asked goal.com’s Neil Jones for his take on the Neves rumours.
Liverpool’s Ruben Neves Transfer Links EXPLAINED!
On the latest episode of our Journo Insight Show, we asked goal.com’s Neil Jones for his take on the Mount rumours.
“There’s no way Chelsea are going to let him run his contract down. You look at what they’ve spent, you look at the way that they’ve done it – they are going to need to sell some players for good money.
“He’s not one of the big earners at the club – I think that’s what he wants to be. The outlay that Chelsea have put into this player isn’t huge. They can potentially cash in, if you say £40/50 million. I think an England international player who has won the Champions League, has been a big part of the club, it would be appealing if he hasn’t agreed on a new contract.
“I think it was it was expected previously that he would get the new contract. They were talking about a 7/8-year contract at the club and really making him a symbol of the new Chelsea – that looks like that’s gone awry.
“When you move clubs, you tend to have to pay more in terms of wages than a club that was going to keep the player would pay, by all accounts, I think it’s £75,000 a week. If Liverpool wants to double his wages, that makes him a decent high earner, but it doesn’t make him a ‘structure-busting’ earner at Liverpool.”
Redmen Reacts
If Mount does wish to leave Chelsea, there is potential value in a summer signing. He will only have one year left on his contract and following Todd Boelhy’s mammoth spending spree so far as owner, outgoings will surely be in the pipeline if the Blues are to comply with FFP regulations. Mount is a versatile player who is renowned for following his manager’s tactical instructions, meaning his performances are not always appreciated by fans. This situation is very familiar to Jordan Henderson, who could serve as the perfect mentor whilst reducing his own game time. If Chelsea wish to quash rumours of a Mount exit, they need to offer him suitable terms sooner rather than later.
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