Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has admitted that Mason Mount was not happy with starting Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Manchester City on the bench, but insists that it will “not last long.”
The Blues’ defeat at City saw them fall 13 points behind the Premier League leaders, and eyebrows were raised when Mount was named among the substitutes, not coming on until the 81st minute of the clash at the Etihad Stadium.
The England international has the most goal involvements in all competitions for Chelsea this season (13 – seven goals and six assists) and has created the most chances (47), ahead of Marcos Alonso (42), Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James (both 38).
Speaking at a news conference ahead of the European champions’ trip to Brighton and Hove Albion on Tuesday, Tuchel said that he received the “burning eyes” that previous Blues manager Frank Lampard had spoken about when he had dropped Mount in the past.
“Yeah, I get them and this is absolutely normal,” Tuchel smiled. “But it’s still within Mason’s character of kindness and being polite and being respectful, so there is no harm in this.
“I get the eyes, I get the look. I know the look, of course. He is here to play these kinds of matches, but we were simply opting for runners. We thought we could break the line more often with Hakim [Ziyech] as a left foot on the left side and going for Christian [Pulisic] as a right side because of the arrival of Christian in the box.
“Normally, he is a bit more offensive, a bit more of a runner than Mason and we expected the spaces more behind the last line and not in front of the back four from City. So that was the decision.
“I felt Mason not 100 per cent in the zone where he is like untouchable, which he normally almost is. So we took that decision and it can happen from time to time. He’s not happy about it, but it will not last long because everyone loves Mason – me included.”
4 – At 22 years and 340 days, Mason Mount is the youngest player to score in four consecutive Premier League appearances for Chelsea. Free. #CHEEVE
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 16, 2021
The former Borussia Dortmund head coach also suggested that Mount has missed playing with wing-back James, who has been missing with a thigh injury since the turn of the year, with the duo, along with N’Golo Kante, working well as a triumvirate since playing together at Stamford Bridge.
“Reece, N’Golo and [Mount] were so strong together,” Tuchel added. “This is what we’ve been talking about. When you turn, you know without even looking he will come now or I will go and get the pass and he will come in, so I will be here.
“We are missing this. And I think, without asking him now, Mason is missing this. He has this genuine understanding with Reece and with Ben [Chilwell] on the other side.”
Meanwhile, Emerson Palmieri, who Chelsea are rumoured to be attempting to recall from a season-long loan at French club Lyon to help solve their problems at left wing-back, has confirmed that he has tested positive for COVID-19.
The Italy international said on Instagram on Monday: “Hi everyone, just wanted to come here to say that I tested positive for COVID on Friday, and I truly feel fine and the rest of the family do too.
“Many thanks for all your caring messages. I hope to be back as soon as possible.”
