MASON MOUNT

AGE: 18 CLUB: Chelsea (on loan at Vitesse Arnhem) POSITION: Forward VALUE: £4m and rising 2016-17 APPS: 34 GOALS: 6 (youth level)

WHAT HAS HE GOT?

IT IS never easy to predict a young player’s future as there are so many imponderables such as injuries, opportunity and mentality. However, Mount (below) looks a future star. Playing behind the striker, he shows the necessary qualities. He is an accurate passer with the courage to play the ‘risk’ ball discouraged by some coaches. Looking for space behind the last defender, he is prepared to release a forward pass between the goalkeeper and the last line of central defence. He does this with a cute lob, diagonal pass or a ball inside the full back. For a teenager, he is clever enough to find space and when tightly marked he can take his jailer for a walk into a false position and make space for others. He can play off both feet and can therefore make his decisions early. Time is so vital for a good playmaker. Those who need time to control, assess and then pass can never be as successful as those who can move the ball quickly off either side. In possession, this lad carries the ball smoothly and — though not particularly physical — he can shield the ball as he runs.

WHAT DOES HE NEED?

BRAVERY and physical strength will be tested more as he advances to senior football. It will be interesting to see how he gets on in Holland. He can score goals but in a successful Chelsea agegroup team he has rarely been short of chances. His stats in this area are good and we know the value of stats to the modern coach. His work-rate is satisfactory. There is always a danger in this position off the front that a player can drop too deep from the front-line and isolate himself. On the showings I have seen, Mount is always in a good position to link. Overall, this young player has considerable talent and great potential.