Rio Ferdinand has suggested that it is now down to Mason Mount’s Chelsea team-mates to help him add more goals to his growing tally.
The attacking-midfielder netted his first UEFA Champions League goal of his career on Wednesday evening to help Chelsea defeat Portuguese outfit FC Porto 2-0 in the first-leg of their quarter-final showdown in Spain.
Mount netted the only goal of the first half before Chelsea secured a vital second away goal through left-back Ben Chilwell with just five minutes remaining, meaning the Blues are in the driving seat to reach the semi-finals ahead of next Tuesday evening’s return-leg at Stamford Bridge.
Mount’s opener came as a result of him being picked out by a sumptuous pass from Italian ace Jorginho, turning brilliantly and burying a low shot into the far bottom corner.
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It was Jorginho’s vision that made the goal, but Ferdinand also waxed lyrical about Mount’s movement to put himself in the position to latch onto his team-mate’s pass.
Having produced such a lovely turn of movement for the goal, former Manchester United man Ferdinand wants to see Mount starting to get picked out more by his team-mates with similar passes.
“What I like about him is his movement off the ball to get on the ball,” Ferdinand told BT Sport after the full-time whistle.
“I think once the other players start realising that he makes movement to get beyond the defenders and start playing that ball, a little bit longer than a ten yard pass to feet, he’ll get even more opportunities in front of goal.”
The summer transfer window is just around the corner.
And the rumour mill is already starting to pick up speed.
New Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel will surely be looking to strengthen the squad he was given when he took over from Frank Lampard and there have already been a number of top players linked with a move, including Erling Haaland.
The striker is thought to be the Blues’ number on transfer priority.
But who would you sign? Get involved in our transfer window debate here.
After firing Chelsea into a one-goal lead at the break, BT Sport host Gary Lineker launched a passionate defence of Mount, admitting that he found it “weird” to understand why the former Derby County loanee still has so many critics, especially online.
Lineker said: “You still see it, don’t you, on social media? Now, social media, as we know, is full of people that know everything about football, but the Mount misunderstanding is weird.”
As things currently stand, Mount is now up to eight goals for the season for the Blues, as well as registering six assists, proving his importance to Chelsea and head coach Thomas Tuchel.