Chelsea 'open contract talks with Mason Mount'

Chelsea have begun formal talks with playmaker Mason Mount over a new contract, according to a report.

The 23-year-old has furthered his reputation as one of the Blues' key performers with three assists from 11 appearances this term - setting up two of his side's goals in the weekend's win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Mount now has 30 goals and 34 assists to boast from 171 senior appearances in a Chelsea shirt since coming through the youth ranks and plying his trade on loan with Vitesse and Derby County.

However, the England international's current contract at Stamford Bridge expires in the summer of 2024, with his most recent extension coming all the way back in July 2019.

Chelsea and Mount have been expected to enter negotiations over a new-and-improved deal at some point this season, and according to the Evening Standard, such talks are now underway.

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The report adds that negotiations are still at an embryonic stage, but there is confidence within the Chelsea camp that an agreement can be reached quickly.

Mount can supposedly expect to become one of Chelsea's highest-earning players should he put pen to paper on his new deal, but Blues fans should not expect a quick resolution.

The midfielder is expected to prioritise the World Cup before going deeper into contract talks, and it could therefore take a number of months before an announcement is made.

Nevertheless, Mount is not expected to entertain offers from elsewhere and will follow fellow Englishman Reece James - who has committed to a lucrative six-year deal - in becoming the latest young player to extend his stay.

In a separate interview with the Evening Standard, Mount affirmed his desire to sign a new deal at Chelsea, saying: "It's so exciting what the future holds. It's an unknown but the way it's started is really exciting to see what's going to happen.

"We're a team that over the last ten years has been up there and pushing and that is where we want to stay. Speaking to them about their goals and aims, we're on the same page.

"So hopefully that continues. I've got two years left on my contract and I'm very, very happy here. Those talks will hopefully be starting soon."

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Mount's pair of assists against Wolves represented his first direct Premier League contributions of the season, and Graham Potter has claimed that the midfielder is a "delight to work with" as he seeks to regain his strong form on a consistent basis.

"I do not doubt Mason Mount at all. It's just like anything, sometimes the team doesn't function as well and so the individuals don't function as well," Potter told reporters.

"Any young player knows football is a bit up and down, you have moments when it doesn't go your way and it's about what you can learn from that. He's got that character, that personality, to continue to develop.

"He's a delight to work with. I never like to put ceilings on players. I try to help them enjoy their football. I think if the team is playing well it helps individuals in the team, and that's the job, that's what we have to do."

Mount and Chelsea will aim for a repeat of last week's 3-0 win over AC Milan when they meet the Italian champions at San Siro for Tuesday's Champions League Group E contest, with both sides locked on four points in the section behind leaders Red Bull Salzburg (five).