Chelsea have reached the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League final thanks to their victory over Real Madrid. The Blues won the second leg 2-0 at Stamford Bridge and there were some fantastic individual performances in the team, including Mason Mount. The English attacking midfielder scored the second goal of the game to seal the win and Mount is fast becoming a key player for Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel.
When the German manager joined Chelsea, there was plenty of speculation regarding the future of Mount at Stamford Bridge. Some soccer betting tips were even predicting a future away from the club for the England international, especially as he was named among the substitutes for Tuchel’s first match in charge of Chelsea. Mount had been playing well under Frank Lampard and it was a surprise to see him left out of Tuchel’s first starting XI.
However, speaking about his omission, Mount said, “I had that motivation and that fire to want to get into the team. The first game with the manager coming in, he went for a more experienced team,” before continuing, “I understood that and wanted to get back into the team, so that motivation and that fire that I have inside me came out. I really tried to push to get back into the team. It’s been brilliant.”
Mount certainly responded to being left on the bench in style and he has since been handed the captains armband by Tuchel in the FA Cup. Lampard also gave Mount the opportunity to lead the team in the FA Cup this season against Luton Town, meaning two managers have seen enough to believe he has what it takes to be the captain of the team. Is there a possibility Mount could be the next permanent Chelsea captain?
Cesar Azpilicueta is the current Chelsea captain and at the age of 31, he could have a couple more years at the club before moving on or retiring. That does not mean Tuchel has not been considering his next choice as captain. Many eyes will look to Thiago Silva, a central defender with a huge amount of experience but the Brazilian is also heading towards the end of his career and the 36 year old may even move on at the end of the current campaign.
Does Mount have what it takes to become the next Chelsea captain? Former captain and Chelsea legend, John Terry, believes he does and having led the Chelsea team for so long, with great success, Terry is well placed to give his opinion. Speaking about the possibility of Mount becoming Chelsea captain, Terry said, “He’s a great lad, trains unbelievably well, is Chelsea through and through and shows leadership qualities. In my mind he’ll be Chelsea and England captain.”
That is some statement and there are other people backing Mount to be Chelsea captain, including former England international and Sky Sports pundit, Jamie Redknapp, and former Chelsea left-back, Ashley Cole. Having been raised in The Blues academy, it would be a great moment for both Mount and Chelsea were he to be named captain of the club.