New Chelsea boss Graham Potter has gotten off to a flying start to his Chelsea reign so far, and a win at Villa Park yesterday kept that going nicely.
It was far from vintage Chelsea, but a 2-0 win and another clean sheet, will do wonders for Potter and the lads as they keep the winning momentum going and keep the pressure on the leading bunch in the Premier League.
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It took two nice goals from midfielder Mason Mount to get the job done in the Midlands yesterday for The Blues, one of which being a very clean striking free kick that sailed into the net from distance.
Mount has been Chelsea’s best player in the last few matches, and we are seeing a bit of a resurgence under Potter for the England man, who had been in some inconsistent form prior to that.
Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards believes Mount is like a new player under Potter. As reported by The Chelsea Chronicle, Richards said after the game: “Mount is there to pounce [for his first goal]. Since Potter has come in, he’s been like a new player. He’s really taken to the tactics very well.”
No argument—Mason Mount is a very good player (if not quite “world class”…yet), but let’s not get carried away. Yes, he seems to have rediscovered some confidence in recent weeks, but I have to respectfully disagree with those drooling over his two goals against Villa. He gets high marks for the work rate and composure that saw him get the first one, but we also have to give Mings half the credit. And, as for the second, it hits the keeper in the hands if he doesn’t guess in the wrong direction! Watch the replay. It’s objectively a poor kick by Mount’s own standards!
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking Mount—he had a strong game, and a little luck is often just what the doctor ordered when a player is working their way out of a funk. But I’d urge the Chelsea News writers to check their breathless English fanboy-dom when it comes to Mount and see his performance with clearer eyes—a step in the right direction, but by no means a work of art.