Chelsea players celebrate Mason Mount's goal against Bournemouth in December 2022
Chelsea players celebrate(Image: Justin Setterfield)
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There are countless examples of the grass not always being greener on the other side when it comes to footballers moving away from their clubs.
There have been plenty in terms of Chelsea. One of the biggest instances in recent Blues history came when Mason Mount ended his 18-year association with the west Londoners when he joined Manchester United in a £60million deal in July 2023.
At the time, Mount said it was what felt "right" for him in that moment of his career. Brutally, though, it has not proved to be that for the United midfielder. More than three years on from his controversial move, Mount has not been able to reach anywhere near the level that was expected from him at Old Trafford.
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The 27-year-old's time in Manchester has been dominated by injuries but even when he has been able to get himself on the pitch, Mount has struggled to form any sort of rhythm.
United supporters are yet to see the best of Mount - a statement he himself agreed with towards the end of April this year. In an interview with our sister title Manchester Evening News, he said: "I think it's fair [to say United fans haven't seen the best from him yet].
READ MORE: Inside Mason Mount contract negotiations with Chelsea as Manchester United deal struck
"I haven't been able to kind of get that rhythm with the injuries and the setbacks. I'm in a really good position now to kick on."
This season, Mount has made just one Premier League appearance - and that was a 10-minute cameo in the 1-1 draw at Fulham last weekend. The former Chelsea midfielder was an unused substitute in the two league games prior with Michael Carrick being cautious with him due to an injury he suffered against Paris Saint-Germain in pre-season.
Mason Mount
Mason Mount has struggled ever since moving from Chelsea to Manchester United(Image: Carl Recine)
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This international break will be crucial for Mount to build his fitness up and he will be hoping to earn a starting spot in Carrick's side for when Tottenham come to Old Trafford on October 10, but doing just that has been a challenge ever since the Portsmouth-born midfielder switched London for Manchester.
Chelsea will be hoping to make Halloween as frightening as possible for Mount when United visit Stamford Bridge on October 31. Every single time Mount has entered the pitch at his former home since leaving, Blues supporters have jumped on his back at every given opportunity.
Enzo Fernandez, of all people, sensed the anger from the Chelsea crowd in April 2024 and made it personal with Mount. The Argentine confronted the Englishman and shouted in his face. There is some delicious irony there.
A lot of Chelsea supporters will find Mount's demise amusing but there will be some with a bit more sympathy for a Cobham graduate whose career, that once promised so much, has been put on the backburner in recent times.
Mason Mount during his Chelsea days
Former Chelsea star Mason Mount was a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge(Image: Marc Atkins)
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From starring and providing a match-winning assist for Kai Havertz in Chelsea's 2021 Champions League final triumph in Porto, to making just 75 appearances, and scoring just eight goals, in three full seasons for Man United. Something has to change for Mount.