Mason Mount Leaves Chelsea for Manchester United: Fans React
Chelsea fans have reacted with anger and disappointment to the news that Mason Mount has left the club to join Manchester United. The 24-year-old midfielder’s acrimonious exit was rubber stamped earlier this week after United caved to Chelsea’s demands and agreed a £60 million deal to secure the signing of the England international.
Mount had issued an emotional farewell message on Instagram prior to confirmation of his defection in which he stressed the decision to move to a direct rival was his and his alone. However, footage that emerged from the United dressing room on Friday has only served to further anger Chelsea supporters.
In the video, Mount’s father Tony can be heard saying: ‘Mason…this dressing room man….home mate, HOME. Who would have thought aye, when I brought you up here as little boy.’ Mount replied: ‘I know. Special isn’t it.’
The comments did not go down well at all with Chelsea fans who now consider him a traitor. One fan compared him to former goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois who left for Real Madrid in the summer of 2018 and has been booed on his every return to west London. Another suggested that Mount supported United growing up and that his connection with Chelsea isn’t as strong as had been suggested. A third fan suggested Mount should be booed when he plays against Chelsea.
New Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, who was reportedly keen for Mount to remain at Stamford Bridge, addressed the midfielder’s departure at his official unveiling yesterday and was keen to stress the focus should now centre on the future and players who are firmly committed to his rebuilding project.
Pochettino said: “Mason is a great player, he has been here since he was a kid and he has done great things for this club. But now we have to look forward and focus on the players who are here and are committed to our project.”
The Argentine also revealed that he had held talks with Mount prior to his departure and had tried to convince him to stay, but ultimately it was the player’s decision to move on.
It remains to be seen how Chelsea fans will react when Mount returns to Stamford Bridge in a Manchester United shirt, but it is clear that the majority of supporters are still hurt by his departure and feel betrayed by his comments in the United dressing room.
For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.