Incoming Chelsea manager makes demands over England international

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard will be hoping to see his side build on their victory over Bournemouth last week when they face Nottingham Forest on Saturday. 

The ex-England captain witnessed his side lose six consecutive matches after taking interim charge of the club at the start of April, but that dismal run was ended as they beat the Cherries 3-1 last Saturday.

Next up for the Blues is a potentially tricky fixture against Forest, who boosted their chances of staying in the Premier League by beating bottom side Southampton last time out.

With Lampard set to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, it appears increasingly likely that former Tottenham Hotspur boss Maurucio Pochettino will succeed him.

The Argentine is believed to be close to becoming the new Chelsea manager, and he has reportedly made demands over the future of one of the club’s stars.

As per The Evening Standard, Pochettino sees midfielder Mason Mount as an integral part of the squad and has asked the club to restart contract negotiations with the player once his appointment is official.

Mount faces an uncertain future at Chelsea

Mount, 24, is set to be out of contract next summer and has been heavily linked with a move away from the club.

Talks between the player’s representatives and those at the club have so far failed to progress, and the likes of Liverpool have been linked with a move for the England international.

Pochettino, though, perceives the Englishman as a player that could play a huge role for his side next term and is therefore keen to ensure that he signs an extension to his current contract.

Mount, a product of Chelsea’s fruitful academy, made his senior debut for the club in 2019 and has since played a key role for the Blues.

In total, he has scored 33 goals and provided 37 assists in 195 matches across all competitions, but Chelsea could sell him this summer rather than losing him for free next term if they can’t agree a new deal.

The midfielder, who has been named as Chelsea’s player of the season in each of the past two seasons, reportedly wants a wage increase that would move him in line with some of the club’s highest earners.