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Chelsea look set to continue adding to their squad this summer, with a whole host of players linked with a potential transfer switch. The Blues have already spent over £500million on signings since the arrival of new owners Boehly-Clearlake, meaning exits are a priority.

As a result, spending is likely to be drawn back from where it has been over the past two transfer windows, with Graham Potter reiterating that point. “I don’t think the spending will continue as it has,” the manager said in January when asked if the trend of big spending will continue.

“There was a regeneration that needed to happen, which the club has done. We have to say the next window and the window after will be different. That’s clear.” That’s not to say there won’t be signings though, with some positions still in need of some extra reinforcements.

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The midfield is one of those positions, with the need for some options for the future alongside British transfer record signing Enzo Fernandez. Borussia Monchengladbach youngster Manu Kone is a player that has been linked for that exact reason, with the 21-year-old impressing in the Bundesliga.

Alongside Chelsea, Manchester United and PSG have also been rumoured with a move, with the youngster speaking out on the talks. He told Le Parisien: “Interest of PSG? You know that I am Parisien, I was born and trained here. There is a logical link.

“But whether it’s Paris or another club doesn’t matter to me. I just want to play. If I have to leave, I’ll think about playing as priority.”

It shows a clear demand of what will sway a decision from Kone, with the Blues needing to have a clear idea of how he fits into the side before making an offer for him.

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Four years since signing and 139 games later, Christian Pulisic’s Chelsea career might have just ten matches left to run. As the American prepares to return to the club for what might be the final time, a last chance to salvage a future at Stamford Bridge awaits him.

After starting twice and captaining his country to two more victories, a 7-1 win over Grenada followed by a 1-0 victory against El Salvador to clinch top spot in their CONCACAF Nations League group, Pulisic journeys back to London knowing the challenge ahead of him.

Since joining Chelsea the USMNT star has scored 14 goals for his country in 35 games. He has captained 13 of them and assisted nine in the same time. Compare that to his record in league football for the Blues. In 92 Premier League games he has scored just 20 goals and assisted 11.

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The goals and assists per game in that period at international level is 0.65 compared to 0.33 for his club. The standard of league football is tougher, naturally, but for Pulisic the difference has always been bigger than most. For USA he is nearly twice as effective. Only during one spell at SW6 has he had that same importance of being irreplaceable.

The now long-gone lockdown period is nearly three years in the past. Outside of the nine-game spell where he scored or assisted in eight games, recording four of each, his record in London reads as 16 goals and seven assists in 81 games, 0.28 contributions per game.

He is far from the only underperforming forward to have played in that time. Timo Werner, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Hakim Ziyech, Romelu Lukaku and largely Kai Havertz have all struggled. The team in that time have scraped to a top four finish three times and now look set to be mid-table here as well.

For Pulisic though it appears his time is up. With his contract expiring in 2024, Todd Boehly and Co have already made their stances on running down deals very clear with Mason Mount. Pulisic and Mateo Kovacic will be no different. The American will either have to find a new club this summer or sign a new deal that as of yet isn’t on the table.

Unless he can find a way to reignite the previous levels and propel himself not just in the short-term thinking of Graham Potter than the 24-year-old faces a move away. With Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk, Joao Felix and Noni Madueke all joining since last year and Christopher Nkunku on his way at the end of this season the American is arguably sixth choice heading into next campaign at this current stage.

With that sort of competition and the general reset desired by Boehly, Potter and the fans, Pulisic is stuck in limbo. On the face of it he should fit the new rebuild. An exciting attacking player based on instinct, flair and pace with an innovative manager and young teammates around him. It’s not too far from the USMNT setup but come the summer it will be four-and-a-half years since a deal was announced with Borussia Dortmund for him to leave.

Maurizio Sarri, then manager, claimed to not have known about it. The way Pulisic came in and the way he looks set to leave may not even be all that disimilar. In a cloud of other things going on, wholesale changes and without anyone quite sure what to expect next.

Under Boehly-Clearlake there was a simplistic hope – much like his Thomas Tuchel reunion – that Pulisic could become the posterboy for Chelsea and spark the US-Chelsea commerical brand-building. That is going to end before it truly started.

The player said last summer that he was ready and on-board with the direction of travel, that hasn’t necessarily changed but everything else has and now he isn’t likely to be part of the journey. “At the end of the season, we were able to meet with them and they were around the club a lot,” Pulisic said on the pre-season tour of the States. “They are really good people so I’m excited moving forward.”

The club and the player will be moving forward, but the longer time goes on the more it seems it will be in opposite directions.

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“Blue.”

It’s not often one-word replies would get Chelsea supporters so excited but when Mykhailo Mudryk said this in response to what colour London is, it definitely saw the Ukrainian’s stock rise even higher. Comments like that will only increase his popularity because there hasn’t been too much to shout about on-the-pitch so far during his short time at Stamford Bridge.

Signed for an initial £62million, which could rise to £88m with add-ons, in the January transfer window from Shakhtar Donetsk, huge things were expected from Mudryk. A big-money signing like that is always going to be exciting for supporters, but the fact Mudryk was taken right from under Arsenal’s nose made it even sweeter for Chelsea fans. Gunners supporters were left gutted.

Instead, table-topping Arsenal went out and signed Leandro Trossard, who was approaching the end of his contract at Brighton. Mudryk and Trossard have had rather contrasting starts at their respective clubs. One cost £27m and the other was £88m (eventually with add-ons), so logic would suggest the more expensive player makes more of an impact, but not in this case.

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Trossard has scored one goal and provided six assists in all competitions for Arsenal thus far and has adapted to Mikel Arteta’s way of playing almost seamlessly. Meanwhile, it’s been a bit more of a challenge for Mudryk, who is yet to open his account for the Blues just yet but has registered one assist in his seven appearances.

Mudryk’s Chelsea career so far

35 minutes vs Liverpool (A) – Played on the left wing, no goals and no assists

45 minutes vs Fulham (H) – Played on the left wing, no goals and no assists

67 minutes vs West Ham United (A) – Played on the left wing, no goals and no assists

71 minutes vs Borussia Dortmund (A) – Played on the left wing, no goals and no assists

26 minutes vs Southampton (H) – Played on the left wing, no goals and no assists

7 minutes vs Tottenham (A) – Played on the left wing, no goals and no assists

82 minutes vs Leicester City (A) – Played as a centre-forward/left wing, no goals and one assist

It’s not too much of a surprise

Trossard has years of Premier League experience. Sometimes that term is overused and its significance is overstated but not in this case. Mudryk has just arrived in a brand-new country and league while playing very limited football in Ukraine with their winter break coming at the end of November.

The new Arsenal signing, however, had been playing consistent football down on the south coast with Brighton, albeit he dropped out of the side towards the end of his time at the Amex Stadium. Either way, Trossard starting the way he has in an Arsenal side that is playing the best football the club have seen in decades is hardly a surprise.

Mudryk, though, with all the settling in he has to do to a new culture, has been in and out of a Chelsea side that are still in transition, still learning the ways of head coach Graham Potter. The remainder of the season is big for Mudryk, granted, but next term will be even bigger for the 22-year-old attacker.

Potter knows Mudryk reality

Potter is under no illusions when it comes to Mudryk. He knows that the new Chelsea signing will need plenty of time to settle in at Stamford Bridge. He isn’t expecting huge results from the Ukrainian immediately and that is reflected with the little football he has played since signing in January.

“He will get better and better,” Potter said on Mudryk following his assist against Leicester this month. “He is a young player that hasn’t got that much experience, so each game he will get better and better.

“His attitude is fantastic, he wants to help the team and work with the team. I’m delighted he got an assist and helped us.”

In another press conference, Potter elaborated on Mudryk: “Hopefully he can benefit from the time he’s had. It’s not easy for him to arrive in the middle of pre-season [with Shakhtar not playing since November].

“To come to a new country, new club, new league, and hit his maximum level. I know people look at the fee but it does not change the situation he is in.

“We’re positive about him, we’re positive about the future for him. But we need to help him settle and help him understand what he needs to do to help us.”

Mudryk has played just 334 minutes in all competitions since signing for Chelsea. Out of the eight signings made in the January transfer window, only Noni Madueke (182 minutes) and David Datro Fofana (105 minutes) have played less for the Blues.

The Chelsea winger is a slow-burner at this stage, regardless of the money spent on him. It’s unfair to solely judge him for the few months he will have played by the time the season ends. If judgement is needed; come back at the end of 2023 perhaps.

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Chelsea are starting to get their contract business in order ahead of the summer transfer window, where some huge decisions are set to be made. The latest uncertainty was settled on Monday as back-up goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli put pen to paper on a new contract.

The former Fulham shot-stopper has made just one first-team appearance since joining the club in 2021, playing the role of a backup option. With Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga higher in the pecking order, the 30-year-old has been on the fringes, though the future of both are in doubt in the coming months.

While there will be some consistency in the goalkeeping ranks with his stay, Bettinelli also meets the homegrown status quota, meaning less strain on landing another player of that status elsewhere. The deal runs until 2026, with the Englishman labelling the chance to extend his spell at Stamford Bridge as a ‘privilege’.

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Speaking to the club website, he said: “It is a privilege to be at a club like Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, and a couple of years ago when I signed I was delighted to be here, delighted to sign. To be here now and see the club going through this transition and seeing what we are developing, it is amazing to be a part of and I am buzzing to be here for an extra couple of years.”

While the fans haven’t seen a whole lot of Bettinelli on the pitch, his teammates have on the training ground and in the dressing room, with the messages of congratulations speaking volumes on how positively he is perceived at the club.

“Ma boyy, the coffee club continues @marcusbettinelli,” Reece James wrote in an Instagram story in reaction to the news.

Meanwhile, Ben Chilwell joined the likes of Marc Cucurella and Mason Mount in congratulating him with clapping emojis under the post.

While the focus will always be on the big stars of the squad, the impact of those around it should never be underestimated, as the case with Bettinelli shows.

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Chelsea starlet Levi Colwill has been given some clear notes on Thiago Silva‘s game that could turn him into the next version of the Brazilian. The 20-year-old has impressed over the past few years, excelling on loan with Huddersfield in the Championship last year before taking the step up with a switch to Brighton.

Life in the Premier League has been enjoyable for the youngster, who somewhat ironically sits above his parent club in the table. However he faces a tough decision over his future at Stamford Bridge over the next few months, with only two years remaining on his contract when he returns.

“I haven’t thought about it [his future] to be honest,” Colwill said on his future earlier this month. Every day we work hard here [at Brighton] and that is all I can focus on. If I start planning for the future things might not go well here and everything changes.

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“This is my main priority right now, I am just sticking in and working hard with my teammates. I have loved every minute of it [his time at Brighton]. I have learned so much, even when I wasn’t playing and now I am getting minutes, coming back from injury – I can’t complain.”

While there remains to be some clarity on Colwill’s future, the main focus is to progress into the best possible defender he can be, with former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink showing exactly how he can take notes from Silva.

Speaking to Parimatch about his favourite players to watch, Hasselbaink said: “I’ve also enjoyed watching Levi Colwill on loan at Brighton, he’s really impressed me. I think he’s going to develop into a really big player.

“Thiago Silva is another I love to watch, every problem he’s trying to resolve it football wise, he barely kicks a ball in the stand, he barely just heads the ball away. He always gets it to his teammates, he’s so composed.”

It’s that level of composure on the ball and off it that Colwill already shows elements of and with some more experience, can become a top level defender.

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Football has a brand new frontier to battle on and it’s not the pitch, but rather the court rooms. The beautiful game as we all know it has had the stakes increased dramatically since the influx of money from the creation of the Premier League in 1992 and with it comes plenty of red tape and legal jargon.

The English Football League is no stranger to dealing with such issues when it comes to financial rules being breached, however this is relatively new when it comes to the top flight. Manchester City were the first team to be alleged with breaking of profit and sustainability rules earlier this year, while Everton have joined them closely after.

Both cases, which will now be sent to independent panels for review, will likely be landmark occasions for how the division handles its issues with money going forward. Chelsea will be keen to avoid such a legal entanglement for the foreseeable future after a large spending spree under new owners Boehly-Clearlake.

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Over £500million has been spent by the American consortium since their takeover in May last year, which has raised some eyebrows across world football. The Blues are able to do this through long contracts handed out to younger players, which means their amortisation – or rate of depreciation of a player’s contract value on the balance sheet at the end of a financial year – is lower than standard contracts and the side make less of a loss each year.

That’s funded the rebuild thus far, which comes with its risks, though the club are still potentially treading carefully when it comes to the financial aspect overall. On Thursday, Chelsea published their accounts for the previous season, showing a recorded loss of £121million.

The club state that some of that is impacted by sanctions placed on former owner Roman Abramovich ahead of the sale of the club. That loss follows on from losing £153.4million the year prior, while before that there was a £32.5million profit. Profit and sustainability rules are calculated over a three-year period, meaning that posted profit will not be included in next year’s accounts.

As a result, the Blues face a potential fire sale as the Times reports that a whole host of Chelsea stars face being available to leave to ensure the club can recuperate some of that money spent. If Boehly wishes for that to be put through for the next financial year, the deals will have to be completed by June 30 to be counted towards the total, otherwise it rolls onto the following season.

Plenty of players continued to be linked with a possible exit in the summer, with the likes of Mason Mount, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mateo Kovacic just a few with just over 12 months remaining on their deal that have been touted with exits. football.london understands Liverpool are seriously interested in the England international and are preparing to make a move for the midfielder in the summer should the situation remain unsolved.

It remains to be seen whether the club will need to sell to comply with the rules in place, however there’s a clear deadline if that proves to be the case.

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Chelsea star Kai Havertz has been linked with a potential transfer exit this summer, with one reported option being a switch to Bayern Munich. The move would incidentally see the German international reunite with former boss Thomas Tuchel, who was recently announced as the new manager at the club.

It comes after a difficult few years in west London for the 23-year-old after his big-money move from Bayer Leverkusen under head coach Frank Lampard. Havertz showed plenty of potential during his time with Leverkusen and continues to show sparks of it at Stamford Bridge, but inconsistency and a struggle to find a best position have made for a tough time.

Despite that, Graham Potter has had his say on the forward’s role and how far he can go, saying earlier this month: “That’s the thing, Kai [Havertz] is still young and can play in lots of positions. He is probably not quite leading the line now, he’s behind the line, and that’s probably his best position Although I would not rule anything out with Kai because the mentality is there and he has got all the attributes to do anything.”

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However, after such a large transfer fee and with only two years remaining on his contract at the club, there may have to be some consideration over Havertz’s future. Bayern have been linked with a swoop, but things may not be that straight forward when it comes to that deal.

That’s because Sky Sport Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg reports that regardless of the striker’s link with Tuchel, the Bundesliga champions won’t be making a move for Havertz. It remains to be seen if that will change heading towards the summer window though.

For Chelsea, the future of the German forward remains unclear as some tough decisions start to be made over his contract situation and future at the club.

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Gvardiol reveals Guardiola talksRB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol has admitted he has recently spoken to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola as Europe’s elite clubs line up to attempt a summer swoop. Despite these talks, the Croatian international, who only turned 21 in January, warned he does not expect to leave the German club at the end of this season.Chelsea are one of a number of clubs monitoring the defender’s situation, football.london understands, despite having signed three centre-halves since Todd Boehly bought the club last May. It’s said the west Londoners are long-admirers of the youngster and have kept tabs on his development since he was plying his trade for Dinamo Zagreb.The 21-year-old started both legs of Leipzig’s recent Champions League last-16 clash with Manchester City and scored his side’s only goal across the two-legs in Germany. While City hammered their opposition in the second-leg, winning 7-0 at the Etihad Stadium, Gvardiol has admitted he had a discussion with Pep Guardiola after that match.However, he has refused to go into specific details regarding what was shared between the two parties. The Croatian added: “I extended my hand to Guardiola in the Champions League. I congratulated him on going through. Guardiola, a great coach, threw a few words at me. But I will keep them to myself.”Read the full story here.Josko Gvardiol has revealed he’s had discussions with the Manchester City manager (Image: 2023 DeFodi Images)

With the international break nearly over and Premier League football due to return it’s impossible to ignore the implications of entering the final stretch of the season. For Chelsea, they remain in search of moving up the table and into European qualifying positions but ultimately will hope to find their way past Real Madrid and towards Champions League glory.

For much of the Premier League, however, their focus will be on survival. Four points separate Southampton in 20th position and Crystal Palace in 12, while a number of teams in between have a range of games in hand.

With just 11 or so matches remaining of the term however, teams will also be looking towards their summer plans. Chelsea are set for a busy summer of outgoing transfers but still have plans to strengthen their ranks despite their outlay of £600million since the arrival of Todd Boehly and co.

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Clubs will be keeping tabs on those who are in the midst of a relegation battle, with the journey to the Champions often been closely associated with player departures.

So are there any players currently at the relegation-threatened clubs in the Premier League that could help bolster and improve the Spurs squad going into 2023/24? football.london takes a look below.

While Chelsea announced the contract extension of Marcus Bettinelli on Monday evening, the Blues are expected to look at options between the sticks with the futures of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy remaining uncertain. The duo both have two years remaining on their contracts, a point the club’s new hierarchy do not want players to go under as a rule.

The west London side have previously been linked to Everton’s Jordan Pickford and while the former Sunderland goalkeeper penned a new four-and-a-half-year contract last month, relegation would leave his position at Goodison Park up in the air. Likewise, Illan Meslier’s name is another to be mentioned in relation to Chelsea. Thre Frenchman is still just 23 and has shown plenty of quality in the Premier League already.

The Blues restocked their defensive ranks last summer with additions in the form of Kalidou Koulibaly, Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella. There has already been speculation that Koulibaly could leave the club come the end of the season, so perhaps the club’s work is yet to be complete in the position.

Crystal Palace are yet to cement their safety and former Blue Marc Guehi would undoubtedly draw the attention of a number of clubs. football.london have previously reported that Spurs really like the defender, while there has been some suggestion Chelsea may have a clause that kicks in next summer that allows the club to match another bid and have it accepted.

Max Kilman is another defender to be linked to the Blues over the last 12 months, with an opportunity possibly arising should Wolves not stave off relegation. Though Chelsea do have Benoit Badiashile and Levi Colwill looking to lock up the left side of the defence for the long term.

Midfield does remain an area of interest for Chelsea however, even after adding Enzo Fernandez. The Blues have long had an interest in Declan Rice though are set to face competition from the likes of Arsenal come the summer, and if West Ham’s position is weakened by relegation that will likely only increase. Though if it means a reduction in transfer fee, it could still benefit the west London side.

Likewise, Romeo Lavia is said to be on Chelsea’s radar and will prove more tempting should Southampton be relegated. Wolves duo Ruben Neves and Mattheus Nunes will be tempting propositions who are sure to want to depart should Wolves fall back down the league.

With January additions in the form of Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke, it may seem unlikely that the Blues want to add more to their wide positions. However, the likes of Michael Olise could become available from Crystal Palace, even his teammate, Eberechi Eze or Leicester City’s Harvey Barnes.

The Blues may be more tempted by a player with a goalscoring threat however with the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang set to leave Stamford Bridge. Leeds’ Wilfried Gnonto will be of an age that certainly interests Chelsea and has impressed since joining the Yorkshire side, while Nottingham Forest’s Wales international Brennan Johnson has looked at home in the Premier League and notched up nine goals and two assists in 33 appearances this season.

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Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly will have to raise significant funds through player sales this summer to avoid breaking the Premier League’s financial fair play rules. This comes as the Blues have reported substantial losses for the second season in a row, as the Times reports.

Despite recording a large profit on player sales during that time, the club reported a £121million loss for last season, following on from further losses of £153.4million for 2020/21. These figures haven’t stopped Boehly spending big in the transfer market, with the club having spent around £600million during his two windows since taking joint ownership of the club last May.

This outlay, coupled with an anticipated drop in prize money due to a poor season on the pitch, has led to some concern over whether they could be in breach of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules for this year, although the club say they have complied with them. The rules allow maximum losses of £105million over a rolling three-year period, leaving Chelsea in a sticky situation if they record another set of hefty losses this time next year.

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At the moment, the three-year span includes 2019/20, when the club notched up a profit of £32.5million. However, that will have been removed when the next financial figures for this campaign get released.

As a result, Boehly and Co. may be forced into a huge summer fire sale in an effort to balance the books. They will have to act quickly to make the appropriate impact though, as this season’s financial accounts are recorded up until June 30, otherwise a charge could be in the offing.

A comparison can be made with Everton, who were charged for being in breach of these regulations last week. They tried to escape a charge by selling Richarlison to Tottenham during the last summer transfer window, but this appeared in vain despite continuing to defend their position.

As well as being under the Premier League’s spending microscope, Chelsea were also named as one of four English sides – alongside Manchester City, West Ham United and Leicester City – to be closely monitored by Uefa last September. However, a mass summer exodus could alleviate any concerns, and help manager Graham Potter trim down his bloated squad in the process.

Boehly will already be planning for a busy summer transfer window that could see as many as 10 players leave Stamford Bridge. The likes of Romelu Lukaku, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Edouard Mendy, Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic are all facing uncertain futures at Chelsea and could see the club receive a huge transfer windfall by selling them this summer.

Talks with Mason Mount over a new contract have not been productive so far with Liverpool and Manchester United both linked with signing the Chelsea star. Ruben Loftus-Cheek attracted interest from Newcastle in January and could leave to play regular first-team football elsewhere.

Pulisic was linked with a move away from Chelsea last summer but ended up staying put despite interest from teams in Serie A. Other players that could leave include Baba Rahman, Malang Sarr and Tiemoue Bakayoko who have all spent the 2022/23 campaign out on loan.

According to CIES Football Observatory, the following players could see the Blues receive a combined figure of £182million to raise some much-needed funds.

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – £5.2million
• Baba Rahman – £1.5million
• Ruben Loftus-Cheek – £13.2million
• Edouard Mendy – £22million
• Hakim Ziyech – £17.6million
• Christian Pulisic – £35.2million
• Mason Mount – £61.7million
• Romelu Lukaku – £17.6million
• Malang Sarr – £7million
• Tiemoue Bakayoko – £800k

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Going into Chelsea’s vitally important victory against Leeds United earlier in the month, only Kai Havertz had played more minutes than Mason Mount this season.

Mount has since missed the last four matches with a pelvic injury, that recently ruled him out of the England squad for the ongoing international break despite initially being called up for action by Gareth Southgate. The 24-year-old has been far from his best this term but still remained a crucial part of the first-team squad at Stamford Bridge.

The England international has featured 32 times for Chelsea this season in all competitions, with only Havertz – who has played 36 games – earning more appearances. People have such strong opinions on Mount, especially supporters on social media, but one thing that is clear: every manager he plays under rates him very highly.

READ MORE: Mason Mount to Liverpool transfer a serious possibility amid Chelsea contract talks

See Frank Lampard, for instance, who handed Mount a run in the first-team in the 2019 campaign, a season which turned out to be his breakthrough one in Chelsea colours. When Lampard went, Thomas Tuchel was appointed and many questioned Mount’s place in the team under the German coach, especially when he was left out of the starting line-up for the first game of his tenure against Wolves. But the Cobham graduate remained an integral figure and played a big part in the run to the Champions League success in 2021.

When Graham Potter took over from Tuchel in September of last year, unsurprisingly, Mount carried on his crucial role in the Chelsea team but things have not worked out this season. Despite playing more minutes than anyone bar Havertz, the England midfielder has just three goals to his name in the process. He also has four assists, but Mount himself would be the first to admit his return in front of goal has simply not been good enough for a player who has set his standards so high in recent seasons. He has almost become a victim of his own success.

The drama going on behind-the-scenes will not have helped Mount with his performances on the pitch. Mount has just over 12 months remaining on his current contract with Chelsea and football.london understands the two parties are no closer to finding a positive solution to the issue despite both wanting the midfielder to continue playing his football at Stamford Bridge.

Mount wants more money and Chelsea want him tied down to a deal that will run seven years – something the player is not so keen on, with less negotiation room in the future should that be the case. Liverpool are the current front-runners for the England international’s signature with the Reds doing the most ground work, but there is also a keen interest from both Manchester City and Manchester United.

The Chelsea midfielder’s absence from the team over the past four games has actually coincided with the Blues winning three of those matches. In that time, Potter has reverted back to a 3-4-2-1 formation and it’s brought the best out of the likes of Havertz and Joao Felix, who have both been flourishing behind whoever is selected to play in the central striker role.

We’ve also seen Mykhailo Mudryk play perhaps his best match in a Chelsea shirt so far – the 3-1 win over Leicester City earlier this month – in Mount’s absence from the side. The Ukraine international started the match at the King Power Stadium in the No.9 role but moved to the left wing in the second-half that saw him look much more threatening and dangerous for the visitors.

Raheem Sterling shone for Chelsea in the 2-0 win against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. The attacker, who is also sidelined with injury at the moment, was used as an unconventional centre-forward against the Germans and he looked really dangerous and allowed others to win the game on the night.

Then we’ve got the likes of Noni Madueke, who has barely had a sniff since signing for Chelsea in January, as well as Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech. Mount’s absence from the team, with all that is going on behind closed doors, could not have actually come at a worse time for him considering he wants to stay with the club he has been with since the age of six.

What would have been ideal for Mount is to show Potter between now and the end of the season exactly why he deserves what his entourage are demanding in negotiations over a new deal, to show Todd Boehly and the club’s new ownership group as well. But if Chelsea’s other attackers can continue their recent form for the club then it could be hard to persuade officials at Stamford Bridge. Potter is very well equipped in Mount’s position.

Even though football.london brought you the news of Liverpool’s serious interest in Mount on Monday afternoon, this contract saga isn’t over yet. Chelsea and Mount will still be hoping between now and the summer they can reach a compromise on terms for a new long-term deal. But with each passing day, and with Chelsea’s new approach to players who are in the latter stages of their contracts, it looks as if Mount could be on his way out of Stamford Bridge in the summer.

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Graham Potter could not have imagined a much worse international break with fresh fitness concerns adding to his problems at Stamford Bridge. Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling joined the injury list at the start of the month and come the end of March the treatment room at Cobham looks set to be much fuller.

Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta are two defenders Chelsea will hope to have back soon, especially for their Champions League clash against Real Madrid. In the Premier League, the Blues are next in action against Aston Villa this Saturday, with many stars likely to face late fitness tests to make the fixture.

On a positive note, N’Golo Kante has been given a further two weeks to increase his fitness levels after making his matchday squad return against Everton. The Frenchman was last in action for Chelsea against Tottenham on August 14, but featured for a Chelsea development squad at the beginning of last week.

READ MORE: Mason Mount to Liverpool transfer a serious possibility amid Chelsea contract talks

With that said, football.london has rounded up the latest injury news from Stamford Bridge with several Chelsea stars in action over the international break and back in west London.

Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz is the latest name on the list of doubts for Graham Potter after the forward returned from international duty with Germany. In a statement on social media, Germany confirmed Havertz was set to return to Chelsea through illness which has since been labelled as a flu infection, but it is hopeful he can recover in the week and will be available for Saturday’s match.

Injury: illness

Expected return date: Aston Villa (H) – April 1

Reece James

Reece James has withdrawn from the England squad to take on Ukraine on Sunday evening due to an ‘ongoing issue’ with a minor hamstring injury.

The 23-year-old Chelsea defender has struggled with injury problems all season-long and unfortunately, it looks like another setback. James came on in Thursday night’s impressive win against Italy but was only on the pitch for just over five minutes after replacing Bukayo Saka.

England released the following statement on James: “Reece James has withdrawn from the England squad and will not feature against Ukraine on Sunday. The full-back has returned to Chelsea for an assessment on an ongoing issue.

“No replacements are planned as Gareth Southgate’s squad, including the suspended Luke Shaw, continue their preparations at Tottenham Hotspur Training Ground.”

Injury: Hamstring

Expected return date: Unknown

N’Golo Kante

N’Golo Kante returned to the Chelsea matchday squad last weekend for the clash against Everton. The Frenchman played 60 minutes in a development squad victory over Charlton on Friday.

What Potter said: “N’Golo’s due to carry on training Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday with potentially a game to give him some minutes.”

Injury: Hamstring

Expected return date: Aston Villa (H) – April 1

Mason Mount

Mason Mount has missed a number of games recently due to various injury issues. He has been in and out of training, but returned last Tuesday along with a number of other teammates.

However, despite originally being called up, Mount also had to pull out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad.

What Potter said: “It’s the same with Mason. He’ll miss the England camp as well.”

Injury: Lower abdomen

Expected return date: Aston Villa (H) – April 1

Raheem Sterling

After scoring a crucial goal against Borussia Dortmund, Sterling has faced another brief spell out of the team with Potter confirming the winger had a fresh fitness concern. He was also left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the international break as a precaution.

What Potter has said: “Raheem has a problem with his hamstring. It’s not too serious but he’ll miss the game at the weekend and the international trip.”

Injury: Hamstring

Expected return date: Aston Villa (H) – April 1

Edouard Mendy

In January, Chelsea confirmed that Mendy underwent surgery on a fractured finger which he sustained during training. After an extended period of time on the sidelines, the Senegal international finally made his return to training last week, pictured alongside his fellow goalkeepers Kepa Arrizabalaga and Marcus Bettinelli.

Injury: Finger

Expected return date: Aston Villa (H) – April 1

Wesley Fofana

Potter revealed Fofana had been taken off against Everton due to fatigue, with many suspecting the defender has picked up another injury. The Frenchman was spotted in the dugout at Stamford Bridge with an ice pack on his right thigh, leaving some supporters to fear the worst.

He will now remain in England and look to make a return against Aston Villa. The 22-year-old did send a cryptic social media message to seemingly give an update on his condition, perhaps suggesting the situation isn’t as concerning as initially feared.

What Potter has said: “Wes Fofana had to come off with fatigue, as he has had a long time out. He was feeling his hamstring. Wes was fantastic and defended well.”

Injury: Hamstring

Expected return date: Aston Villa (H) – April 1

Cesar Azpilicueta

Azpilicueta sustained a concussion against Southampton following a collision with striker Sekou Mara. The defender left the pitch on a stretcher and was taken to hospital but he’s on the mend now as he eyes a return.

What Potter said: “Azpilicueta had a knock in training, he’s had a problem there.”

Injury: Concussion

Expected return date: Aston Villa (H) – April 1

Thiago Silva

Silva was forced off with a knee injury in the Blues’ clash with Tottenham. The following Tuesday, Chelsea released a statement detailing his diagnosis.

The time off has been detailed as roughly six weeks, meaning he should return to action in early April. His wife has since posted a video of him getting treated at their home, writing on Instagram: “The needles are on top of the ligament, emitting shocks due to use, it hurts so much.”

What Potter said: “Thiago will be around that time [six weeks], not sure exactly.”

Injury: Knee

Expected return date: April

Armando Broja

Chelsea have been without Broja for a while now after the striker suffered a knee injury in a mid-season friendly against Aston Villa. The 20-year-old screamed in pain following a collision with Ezri Konsa and he was subsequently stretchered off the field of play.

He looked to be in considerable pain and was seen to be clutching his leg as he was tended to by medical staff. The Albania international had no history of knee injuries and his injury is a major blow.

Broja has been expected to be out for at least the remainder of the season after learning that he needed surgery to fix a ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee, football.london reported at the time. However, he’s recently been pictured back in individual training at Cobham, albeit mostly gym work.

What Potter said: ”It was just an unfortunate action. He got caught up with their player and the ground. It doesn’t look positive at the moment but it’s too early to say. Fingers crossed but it is an awkward one.”

Injury: Knee

Expected return date: Summer 2023

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