Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has found a new warrior after crunch Liverpool win
Chelsea: Tuchel on relationship with Klopp
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Chelsea star Mason Mount was expected to struggle when Thomas Tuchel took over at Stamford Bridge in January. However, the England international has defied the negativity to emerge as a crucial asset for the German. And his match winning goal was against Liverpool was proof of the playmaker’s excellent mindset, scoring the only goal of the game to give his side all three points.
Chelsea already have a few warriors at the club.
Cesar Azpilicueta is one, with the Blues captain willing to throw himself into anything for the good of the team.
There’s also Olivier Giroud, who is happy to do the dirty work up front despite not always being guaranteed to start.
And now, these days, there’s Mount.
It’s been quite a couple of months for the England international, who has silenced his critics with some sensational displays in the middle of the park.
When Chelsea sacked Frank Lampard in January, many expected the 22-year-old to go off the boil.
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After all, Lampard had managed him at Derby and picked him for the majority of their matches together at Stamford Bridge – earning Mount the unfair label of ‘teacher’s pet’ in the process.
That was the bait fans used online to mock him and Lampard’s departure, and Tuchel’s immediate appointment in the aftermath, saw the England international tipped to struggle.
But, nearly two months into the Tuchel era, and Mount has shown what he’s all about.
He’s become a leader at Chelsea, wearing the armband for Lampard’s final game in charge and refusing to look back in the matches that have followed.
Even before the Blues’ showdown with Liverpool on Thursday night, the former Rams star was impressing.
He scored as Chelsea battled their way to a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United at the start of February.
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And Mount was also on target in the Blues’ 1-1 draw with Southampton at St Mary’s, a shining light on an otherwise forgettable afternoon.
Liverpool, despite their recent run of bad form under Jurgen Klopp, were never going to be easy opposition to break down.
But Mount produced a fine showing on the night, scoring the only goal of the game to boost Chelsea’s chances of finishing in the Premier League top four.
Tuchel walked into a tricky job at Chelsea.
Many supporters had wanted Roman Abramovich to stick with Lampard, a club legend who won the lot during his playing days in west London.
Yet Mount’s gladiatorial-like performances have helped the German enjoy a positive start to his tenure, with Chelsea yet to lose a game on his watch.
If he continues like this, he could very well end up being a Chelsea legend.
And, as the Blues prepare to tackle Everton at Goodison Park on Monday night, Mount appears to be getting better and better at the ideal time.
Attentions are starting to turn towards the European Championships at the end of the season, with Gareth Southgate mulling over who to include in his Three Lions squad.
And, at this rate, Mount should be named in the 23-man army.
He’s matured leaps and bounds this season and Chelsea, as they go in search of a top four finish, are all the better for it.
Meanwhile, former Chelsea star Oscar has hailed Mount for his recent form – insisting he sees similarities with himself.
“I like him,” said the Brazil international.
“Sometimes he doesn’t play like me but sometimes, I watch him and I can see a little bit of me there because I also came into Chelsea when I was so young and played good football.
“I really like him. He has everything you need to improve.
“He scores goals, he does some important things and he knows how to defend and attack. I really like him.”
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