MASON MOUNT bore a striking resemblance to Lionel Messi when burying an impressive free-kick in footage of the Chelsea ace as a lad.
At 20, the midfielder is still one of the young guns in this up-and-coming Blues side but he was just a boy when confidently facing the camera in this clip.
Mason Mount as a young kid in his early days at Chelsea
The midfielder used to share Messi’s old mopCredit: AFP
Mason Mount curls an amazing free kick into the top corner
Discussing his free-kick technique, the future England international describes how he aims to strike the ball like Cristiano Ronaldo.
All the while, his mop of hair makes him the ideal doppelganger of Ronaldo’s great Ballon d’Or and El Clasico rival Messi.
Mount tells the camera: “I try to base my free-kicks on Ronaldo.
“Hit the ball by the valve and it moves.
“That’s all you do. Top corner, top bins.”
The youngster then lines up a set-piece from just inside the D and steps up to deliver a perfect strike over the wall and past the goalkeeper.
Mason Mount drops huge hint over Chelsea future after club make final contract offer
The midfielder is nearing the final year of his contract (Picture: Getty)
Mason Mount appears to have dropped a huge hunt over his future at Chelsea by appointing a new agent to manage a potential transfer away, according to reports.
The England international is about to enter the final year of his contract with the west Londoners – which expires in the summer of 2024 – and so far talks over a renewal have hit an impasse.
Mount wants a salary that is more reflective of his status within the squad, having won the club’s Player of the Year award in back-to-back seasons.
But the arrival of Chelsea’s new owners has dramatically changed the way salaries are dished out, with the new regime offering less money but longer deals to players.
As a result, talks between Mount and the club have been at a deadlock and Chelsea are facing the very real possibility of having to cash in on the 24-year-old this summer rather than risk losing him for nothing in a year’s time.
Now the Daily Mail are reporting that the midfielder has appointed a new agent – Neil Fewings from Roof – in the clearest indication yet that he will leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.
Mount’s father, Tony, had been looking after his affairs for the past 18 months since he left his previous management company, Stellar Football.
Mount has been struggling with a pelvic injury recently (Picture: Getty)
But the prospect of having to leave Chelsea has seen Mount bring in ‘more specialist assistance’ to help negotiate with potential new clubs.
Liverpool have long been linked with a move for the midfielder – who has been at Chelsea since he was a schoolboy – while Manchester United, City and Newcastle are also believed to monitoring the situation.
As things stand, Chelsea insist the current deal on the table is their final offer, though it is far below what Mount is demanding – and what he can get elsewhere.
Speaking about the saga surrounding Mount’s future, manager Graham Potter said recently: ‘It’s between the club and Mason.
‘Sometimes these things happen. They’re complicated and it’s best I speak little about it.’
He added: ‘I’ve spoken to him several times about life in general. My feelings for Mason are clear and I think he’s a fantastic person.
‘I’m not naive and I know it’s an important contract for him. These things have to be right for him and his family and it’s important he makes the right choice for him.’
