HIGHLIGHTS

Chelsea’s contract offer to ex-star Mason Mount at Stamford Bridge could have been considered “disrespectful” as journalist Paul Brown provides GIVEMESPORT with his reaction to John Terry’s recent comments on the matter.

The Blues lost the services of their academy product to Manchester United this summer as Mauricio Pochettino looks to improve on last season’s 12th-placed Premier League finish.

Chelsea news – Mason Mount

Last week, ex-Chelsea captain Terry hinted to Knockout Events (via The Mirror) that there’s a side to Mount’s departure from Stamford Bridge that the public don’t know. The Blues star signed for Manchester United in a £60m deal this summer, having failed to agree on improved terms to his £80,000 per-week contract in west London, which was due to expire next summer. Terry said:

“Mase is proper Chels through and through. There are always two sides to a story, and I know the other side to it. I’m not going to air that tonight, but there’s another side to the story. Let’s not be too harsh on him when he comes back.”

Mount had never expressed any public desire to leave Chelsea, hinting that if acceptable terms had been offered, he would have been willing to remain at Stamford Bridge beyond this summer. However, once it became apparent that a departure was on the cards, Manchester United swooped for the England international’s signature, having penned a five-year-deal at Old Trafford.

What has Brown said about Chelsea and Mount?

Brown believes that Terry’s comments weren’t cryptic and just emphasised that Mount’s side of the departure hasn’t been told. The journalist told GIVEMESPORT:

“I didn’t see them as that cryptic. I just think that Mount’s side of this story hasn’t been told. He’d been in contract talks with Chelsea for a long time, and I don’t think he ever really felt that they were desperate to keep him. He was on a low wage at Chelsea. He was nowhere near their top earner. He’d been winning Player of the Year awards and was one of their better players. He won trophies with the club, yet Chelsea never once made him an offer to become either their highest earner or to give him parity with their highest earners. And I think if you’re Mount, you’re probably entitled to feel a bit disrespected by that. I think, ultimately, he did, and he decided that he had no choice but to go and see what else might be out there.”

Did Mount want to leave Chelsea?

Judging by Mount’s comments following his departure from Chelsea, the midfielder hints that he was left with no choice but to leave Stamford Bridge for the sake of his career. The midfielder posted a message on Instagram upon his departure (via the MailOnline):

“I feel you deserve more than just a written statement, so I wanted to tell you directly how grateful I’ve been for all of your support over the last 18 years. I know some of you won’t be happy with my decision, but it’s what’s right for me at this moment in my career. I joined Chelsea when I was six years old, and we’ve been through a lot together, winning the Youth Cup, my Player of the Year awards, the Super Cup, the Club World Cup, and, of course, that unforgettable night when we won the Champions League.

“I want to say thank you to the academy, Jim [Fraser] and Neil [Bath], for being so influential from such a young age. The managers I’ve worked under, Frank [Lampard], Thomas [Tuchel] and Graham [Potter]. The backroom staff, the unsung heroes of Cobham, all of my team-mates over the years who have become my brothers, my family for the continuous love and support and most importantly, you guys [the fans] for sticking with me throughout. Wish you all the best.”

Could Mount have played in Pochettino’s system at Chelsea?

Mount has hinted that Pochettino had already made up his mind about the midfielder upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

“Several months ago, it became clear I wasn’t in Chelsea’s plans going forward, and once I knew United were involved, my decision was made up.”

It seems clear the Argentine head coach could find a way to fit the Chelsea product into his starting XI. However, this is a surprise, given that Mount can play both in a number eight and ten role as well as out wide in a front three. Therefore, it would be absurd to suggest that Pochettino couldn’t find a role for Mount in his Blues side, who have picked up just four points from a possible 12 this season.

Chelsea are reportedly willing to part ways with as many as six players before the end of the summer transfer window.

On Sunday afternoon, the Blues produced one of the more eye-catching performances of the opening Premier League weekend as they posted a 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

However, either side of that fixture, speculation persisted regarding a wide array of players who may arrive and depart Stamford Bridge in due course.

Romeo Lavia and Michael Olise are being tipped to follow Moises Caicedo in moving to Chelsea in deals which would exceed £200m.

Although Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have already recouped more than that figure in sales this summer, that was initially required to get back on a level footing with FFP.

Despite the alleged insistence that Chelsea are in a better position with FFP than perceived, exits are expected to be forthcoming, including Lewis Hall making the switch to Newcastle United.

According to the Evening Standard, Boehly and Clearlake Capital want to ensure that another six players are off the books as soon as possible.

Amid conflicting reports over the completion of a medical, Hakim Ziyech may join Galatasaray on Thursday, while the expectation is that Callum Hudson-Odoi will eventually sign for Fulham.

The future of Romelu Lukaku has been a hot topic of debate, although Chelsea are yet to find a destination for a player who they wish to generate over £30m.

Conor Gallagher starred during Chelsea’s fixture with Liverpool, yet the arrivals of Caicedo and Lavia would see the England international fall down the pecking order

Ian Maatsen was another who impressed during pre-season, the left-sided player also impressing in the number 10 role, but he currently has less than a year remaining on his contract.

Trevoh Chalobah is the final player on the list having effectively dropped to fifth in the central-defensive pecking order behind Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill, Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile.

Of the six, the report adds that Gallagher would prefer to remain at Chelsea to fight for his place, even with Andrey Santos and Lesley Ugochukwu also acting as options for Mauricio Pochettino.

Chelsea have completed the transfer signing of Robert Sanchez, who has swapped Brighton for the “amazing opportunity” to work with manager Mauricio Pochettino.

The Spaniard moves in a deal worth £25 million, signing a seven-year contract with the Blues. He will now compete with compatriot Kepa Arrizabalaga for the no.1 shirt this season.

Sanchez fell out of favour with Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi last season and lost his starting spot to Jason Steele. With Bart Verbruggen arriving at the club this summer, the goalkeeper was unlikely to regain his place in the first team.

“I started really my career here in England,” Sanchez told Chelsea’s official website. “Brighton has given and provided me everything I needed as a goalkeeper inside and outside the pitch to get the maximum potential out of me which I’m really happy I have done and thankful. Obviously now it is another bigger challenge and I’m ready for it.

“Choosing Chelsea was the best choice that I could have picked because of the opportunities that they have presented in front of me is amazing to develop more as a goalkeeper, learning and to compete for the spot and show everybody how good I can be.”

When asked about working under Pochettino, he said: “Really excited. Amazing opportunity to work with a coach of that level. Obviously I have watched him at his past clubs, what he has done and I think what he brings to the club, the family [feel] around the players is really good and his play style is something that I suit really well. I am going to contribute good to win trophies to the club with him.”

Upon confirmation of the transfer, Chelsea co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Robert to Chelsea and he adds further quality to our goalkeeping unit.

“Robert has repeatedly proved himself in the Premier League and been capped by his country. We are excited to watch him work with Mauricio and his coaching team during the season ahead.”

Chelsea could now sign both Moises Caicedo and Robert Sanchez from Brighton as part of a “total package” this summer.

That is according to Fabrizio Romano.

So, what is the latest on Chelsea targets Robert Sanchez and Moises Caicedo? Let’s take a look…

Well, it is not exactly a secret that Chelsea want to sign the Ecuador international and the Spain international – that has been well documented, especially in the last few days.

However, the possibility of both players joining Chelsea as part of a combined package deal is not something that was suggested, until now.

JUST IN:Frank Leboeuf suggests Chelsea should forget about signing ‘fantastic’ 21-year-old target

Speaking on YouTube, Romano said: “From what I understand, these are two separate deals, but there is a chance to agree a total package. This is something that they are still discussing. There is a possibility to put both players in the same amount.”

Brighton are said to want £100m for Caicedo alone – according to the Guardian – while Nathan Gissing suggested that the Seagulls could sell Sanchez for just £20m.

Brighton should let Chelsea have Caicedo if Blues take Sanchez

In our view, Brighton should finally consider letting Chelsea have Caicedo if they agree to take Sanchez as well.

Let’s look at the facts.

Sanchez is now Brighton’s third-choice goalkeeper after losing his place under Roberto De Zerbi to Jason Steele, and the Italian has since spent £16.3m on Bart Verbruggen, who looks likely to come in as No.1 given the amount spent on him.

JUST IN:Mauricio Pochettino gives verdict on Raheem Sterling and speaks out on selecting new Chelsea captain

Therefore, Brighton need to offload the Spaniard, seeing as he will hardly play next season.

So far, Brighton have refused to let Caicedo move to Chelsea – despite the fact he has agreed personal terms with Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

However, if the Blues agree to pay a decent fee for Sanchez, removing an outcast from De Zerbi’s squad in the process, the Seagulls should let their No.25 get his wish of a move to Stamford Bridge.

Aldershot vs Chelsea

The encounter between the two was entertaining which saw Chelsea, who recently put four past Brighton and Hove Albion, start on a positive footing as Ronnie Stutter fired them ahead early on.

Aldershot took control of proceedings against the Chelsea XI, with Pochettino and the main team in Atalanta, after the goal and looked for an immediate reply.

However, they had to wait until the 40th minute when the man of the match Kwame Thomas towered above the Chelsea defense to head home a deserved equaliser.

lsea

Despite a few threats from both sides in the final five minutes of the first half, there was nothing to separate them at the break.

In the second half, Aldershot started as they ended on the front foot and eight minutes in, took the lead for the first time in the game through Loren Tolaj.

Jack Barham completed the rout in the 79th minute for a famous victory for the Widdrington club.

Aldershot mock Chelsea

After the game, the home side took to their social media account to celebrate a good night out.

Aldershot posted a tweet that mocked their opponents on the night, Chelsea, who they described as a Premier League mid-table club.

“A comfortable victory against mid-table Premier League opposition 🤝,” Aldershot posted on their official X account.

Chelsea may be listening to offers for Conor Gallagher unfortunately, but apparently the threshold of our hearing doesn’t go as low as £40m, which means that West Ham United’s £37+3m attempt fell on deaf ears.

Actually, it was rejected, but I wanted to complete the analogy.

The bid from the Hammers (which seems to have happened last week actually), and its subsequent rejection, was reported by The Times and The Athletic and several others yesterday. Speculation soon after claimed that West Ham have already come back with an improved £42+5m bid. However, that apparently isn’t the case quite just yet — though if other teams were to follow through in their interest as well (i.e. Tottenham Hotspur), we just might get a bidding war out of it.

That won’t make up for losing such a dynamic player as Gallagher, but it would lessen the blow a little bit I suppose.