Chelsea were forced to make some very tough decisions when it came to their Champions League squad this season.
The influx of new signings between the group stage and the knockouts meant that some of our first team – notably Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Benoit Badiashile – were left out.
This issue will only get worse next year, and more of the young signings pass the age at which they need to be registered.
It’s a reminder of how important home grown players like Mason Mount are. They are starting quality, and homegrown to boot.
Forget his value sentimentally to the fans, and forget his value as a really good Premier League midfielder, and just consider his value as a homegrown, academy trained player.
As his contract talks drag on, it’s vital we all remember that. It gives him more leverage in negotiations – he’s more valuable to us than anyone else, as a home grown player.