Declan Rice has claimed that reported Liverpool transfer target Mason Mount is one of the best players he’s shared a pitch with.
Mount has lost his place in the England side after some disappointing World Cup displays. But speaking via the Evening Standard, Rice has jumped to his teammate’s defence.
“I don’t need to talk too much about Mase [Mount]. He probably just doesn’t fit the agenda of what people want an attacking midfield player to look like in this day and age,” he began.
“He is one of the best players I’ve played with — and I’m not saying that because he’s my best mate. If you see the way he helps the team, I think that’s why Gareth is so keen on him and picks him all the time.
“Not only with the ball, his quality he shows in abundance for England and Chelsea, but the way he is off the ball: you don’t see many number 10s who have that together. He is such a team player, such a hard-working, honest guy. Sometimes fans, people online, social media, they just don’t like him. For what reason I honestly don’t know. But look, his numbers for Chelsea are incredible.”
Liverpool unmoved by Mount drop-off
If Liverpool really do hold an interest in Mount – and, according to The Guardian, they do – his displays in Qatar won’t have put them off.
Sure, there have been other attacking targets who have shown more quality, that’s indisputable. Cody Gakpo, for instance, has shone for the Netherlands, and so too has Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus.
But these are different players for different positions. If Liverpool were to bring in Mount, you’d think it would be to fill one of the midfield slots.
In that respect, it’s perhaps unfair to judge the Chelsea man from his underwhelming two games at the tournament. Playing a more advanced role for England, Mount hasn’t got into either game he’s started.
Still, as Rice points out, he has the trust of Gareth Southgate. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the 23-year-old back in the line-up against Senegal this weekend.
Either way, you wouldn’t think Liverpool’s interest would diminish. A positive end to contract talks reportedly remains some way off for Chelsea and Mount.
The smart thinking would suggest that that positive conclusion will eventually still arrive. But as long as it doesn’t, Liverpool are likely to continue to lurk.
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