Mason
Mount was yet to even feature for Chelsea's senior side six weeks ago. But
it is a testament to just how brightly he has started this season that his
injury against Valencia, inflicted by Francis Coquelin's reckless challenge,
came as a considerable blow to manager Frank Lampard.
There were just nine minutes on the clock in the Champions League Group H
clash at Stamford Bridge when Coquelin planted his studs onto Mount's right
leg, causing the 20-year-old's ankle to turn unnaturally. He tried to run it
off, but it soon became clear that he would not be able to continue. Mount
trudged down the tunnel and a significant chunk of Chelsea's attacking
threat went with him.
The game was ultimately decided by the slack marking which allowed Rodrigo
to plunder Valencia's winner and Ross Barkley's failure to convert from the
penalty spot in the closing stages, but Mount's absence was also
significant. "Obviously it was a shame because he was playing so well and he
had started the game well," said Lampard afterwards.
Mount's goal in the 5-2 thrashing of Wolves on Saturday was his third in his
first five games of the season. As well as providing a scoring threat from
midfield, the academy product has become Chelsea's attacking spark, stepping
into the void left behind by Eden Hazard and creating more chances and
taking more shots than any of his team-mates.
Chelsea missed that guile on Tuesday night. Lampard chose Pedro as Mount's
replacement, citing his Champions League experience afterwards. But while
the 32-year-old was typically industrious out of possession, he had not
featured at all since Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Leicester a month ago and his
rustiness was evident at Stamford Bridge.
There were groans of frustration from the home supporters as attacks broke
down around him in the first half. Pedro offered little in the way of
creativity - his struggles summed up by one late cross which failed to beat
the first man - and he spurned his only clear sight of goal when he curled a
shot harmlessly wide shortly before Valencia's winner.
Chelsea did create openings, but Valencia were untroubled by the majority of
their 22 shots and the hosts were generally reliant on moments of individual
skill from Willian. The Brazilian ran rings around Valencia's defenders at
times, but he lacked the kind of clinical edge Mount has provided recently
and is still waiting for his first goal or assist this season.
Chelsea's 3-4-2-1 formation allowed Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso to
bomb forward from the wing-back positions, but they too struggled to deliver
in the final third. Between them, and despite repeatedly finding themselves
in good positions, they completed just two crosses out of nine.
Tammy Abraham battled gamely up front, winning all six of the aerial duels
he contested and sending one header narrowly wide, but he missed Mount's
service as much as anyone. Lampard admitted Chelsea "did not create a lot of
fantastic chances" in his post-match press conference. When they needed a
flash of ingenuity, it wasn't there.
Lampard added that it was too soon to judge the seriousness of Mount's
injury, saying Chelsea will wait for scans to find out the full extent of
the damage. But the nature of the challenge makes it worrying and the timing
is unfortunate - not just because of his form but because of what's to come.
Chelsea welcome Liverpool to Stamford Bridge on Super Sunday and after that,
they have four games in the space of 12 days - including a trip to Lille in
their second Champions League group stage fixture. It is a hectic period and
an inopportune moment for Lampard to be deprived of a key player.
All the more so given he is not currently confident calling on Christian
Pulisic. The USA international, a £58m signing from Borussia Dortmund before
Chelsea's transfer ban took hold in the summer, was left on the bench for
Saturday's win at Wolves and it was the same story against Valencia, despite
Mount's withdrawal and Chelsea's struggles in attack.
It should come as no great surprise that a 21-year-old Premier League
newcomer is taking time to adapt to his new surroundings - and Lampard
insisted Pulisic is "well in his plans" after the game - but Chelsea will
need him to be ready if his team-mate's injury turns out to be serious. It
is only six weeks since his Chelsea debut, but Mount is already vital to
this side.
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