https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/12/28/
mount-on-tuchel-s-influence-on-his-own-game-and-adapting-to-a-ne
Mount on Tuchel's influence on his own game and adapting to a new position
28 Dec 2021
Mason Mount has excelled in a more advanced role under our head coach
Thomas Tuchel, with his goal involvement return benefitting massively as a
result, and the attacker has spoken of how the German has helped improve
his game over the past year.
https://i.imgur.com/HQLcIjS.jpg
Mount has stepped up in recent weeks, particularly in the absence of
Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner, playing every single minute of our last six
games, with four goals and two assists across this short period.
His tally for goals and assists combined now sits at 11 in just 16 Premier
League appearances, and Mount, who turns 23 in the new year, admits he is
relishing playing in a different position lately.
'My first year or two I played in a bit of a deeper role as an eight. Now
I am playing higher up as a 10-slash-winger, so that gives me more
opportunities to make it into the box. They want me in the box and being a
threat going forward so that is a big focus of mine.
'I have seen that improvement in the last few games in terms of the
chances I am getting now just from trying to get into the box,' he says.
'Having more touches in the opposition box shows it is working.'
Given he is predominantly right footed, the forward also speaks of the
different qualities needed to operate on the right flank.
'Last year, I was mainly on the left. I became very used to cutting inside
on my right last season. Now there is maybe more focus on crossing and
going down the line to cut balls back.'
Mason's relationship with fellow Cobham graduate Reece James has been a
key feature for the Blues this campaign, with James Chelsea's top assister
this season with six, two ahead of Mount.
'He has been playing brilliantly,' Mason says of Reece. 'I know how he
plays and I know how he likes to combine with someone.
https://i.imgur.com/FPFgVeW.jpg
James and Mount have combined to great effect this season
'It is us on the right trying to create chances and work off each other.
When he moves inside, I go on the outside, when I move inside, he stays
wide. It is all about getting the best from each other,' Mount adds.
The no.19's goals this season have shown how versatile he can be.
Right-footed strikes against West Ham and Everton in December both
showcased his ability to peel off the left-back and find space to take
aim, while his most recent strike against Leeds United at the Bridge was
on his left foot, after directly attacking the box from the right.
'It is a different position with different demands but I am comfortable
coming inside and finishing with my weaker foot,' Mount says. 'I have
always tried to work on being a threat with both.'
Mount also admits that being able to play with both feet is something he
has practiced since he was very young, under the tutelage of his father,
Tony.
'I remember he used to tell me that so I would go in there and kick a ball
against the wall 100 times with each foot without messing up,' recalls
Mount.
'I remember being in there hour after hour just kicking that ball. I did
it for years. It just helps that feeling, that touch, because you do not
want it to feel any different when you are on your left foot to your
right. That has definitely been a big help for me.
'The ball comes into the box and you have no idea how it is going to fall.
You cannot have thoughts in your head, like, 'It is on my left, I am not
going to hit it.' You just have to take it in your stride and hit the
target. That is exactly what I try to do.'
Speaking of his career so far under our Bavarian head coach, the Cobham
graduate credited the boss with aiding his game tactically.
https://i.imgur.com/deHt6jb.jpg
The boss issuing Mount instructions at Leicester City
'He has definitely improved my attacking play. I had never really played
as high up as I have under him before in my career. It is about getting
into the box more, being more clinical, the final pass. It is about really
putting that pressure on myself to be someone who creates.'
Mason also believes the title is well within reach this season, despite a
run of draws before the Aston Villa victory pushing us down the table.
'The title has always been our goal. We want to be up there. More than
ever this season, we feel like we have a big chance. We can definitely do
it.
'We have the confidence. But we need to be humble and focused, too. We
need to keep doing the basics well.'