Bacary Sagna tells Chelsea’s contract rebell Mason Mount why he wouldn’t get into Arsenal starting line-up
Mason Mount has been advised by Bacary Sagna on three reasons why he might not be able to secure a place in Arsenal’s starting line-up.
As the Chelsea player has only 18 months left on his current contract, his future at Stamford Bridge is becoming increasingly uncertain.
Following the acquisition last year, Todd Boehly aimed to secure a new long-term contract for the 24-year-old, but negotiations have reportedly been challenging due to disagreements over the contract length and salary.
Despite being an experienced England international, Mason Mount is not among the highest earners at Chelsea. If negotiations for a new contract fall through, he will become a free agent in June 2024.
However, in the meantime, he could be available for a lower fee, which has attracted the attention of several top clubs. According to SportsDias, Liverpool has been interested in Mount for a while, while Manchester City and Manchester United are also keeping an eye on the situation.
Speaking to The Games Cabin, Sagna examined the prospect of the Englishman joining Arsenal. The former City and Gunners defender said: “I don’t see him playing ahead of any of the players in Arsenal’s starting XI.
“I think he would purely be an addition and I don’t see him getting ahead of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard or Gabriel Martinelli. I believe that Martinelli has more speed and more creativity and I don’t believe buying a player like Mason and putting him on the bench would be a good decision for the club.
“They need to be smart and they need to bring in players that are content with sitting on the bench sometimes and being happy to share the time amongst the other players in their position. That’s what Manchester City do, but I’ve been at Manchester City and it wasn’t always easy wanting to play and being stuck on the bench.
“Does Mason have the mental qualities to come to Arsenal and sit on the bench? I’m not sure because I’m sure he’d want to play every week.”
Despite uncertainty surrounding Mason Mount’s future at Chelsea, Graham Potter emphasized that contract negotiations are never straightforward.
Speaking during a pre-match press conference before the game against Southampton, the Chelsea manager acknowledged that talks can be complicated, with various factors at play. He suggested that the club is committed to finding a solution that works for both parties.
The Blues boss said: “It’s always complicated, there is always negotiations.
“It’s best I leave it between Mason and the club, that is the best way for that to be dealt with as far as I’m concerned. He’s been fantastic to work with, an important player for us, and of course, I hope it gets resolved quickly.”
Bacary Sagna tells Chelsea’s contract rebell Mason Mount why he wouldn’t get into Arsenal starting line-up
