Former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole is backing Mason Mount to succeed Cesar Azpilicueta as club captain following last night’s performance against Liverpool.
The 22-year-old scored the crucial winner at Anfield, and Cole says that Mount is making the case to take on the armband in the near future:
“Next season he is definitely pushing for the captaincy. For me, he is the best player at Chelsea and the first name on the team sheet.”
Fans on Twitter were pretty much split on the prospect of Mount becoming the next captain, with some worried that it isn’t right to put too much pressure on such a young man’s shoulders:
No argument from me!
— Drew Reid (@DrewReid14) March 5, 2021
He not ready please
Let's not call for unnecessary pressure on the young lad.. although he deserves it— Theophilus Light (@Don_Viper_Light) March 4, 2021
He should be this season
— Siam Ahmed Joy (@SiamChelsea) March 4, 2021
Ashley Cole in this case you are just stating the obvious man!
— Nathaniel K.D (@FredDoeKerryson) March 4, 2021
That how the British press and ex players keeps on pressuring young players. Is azpi and kante leaving??
— Ugodrey #AutoGlassDealer (@DavymartinCE0) March 4, 2021
People are overreacting the key word here is ‘pushing’ not that he is def going to be the captain but he becomes one of the leaders in the locker room which is not a bad thing at all. #GoChels!!!
— SlimFit (@PRINCEOFAFR) March 4, 2021
He obviously must be joking right?
— FUTMagic (@FUTMagic____) March 5, 2021
Absolutely agree and we should build the team around him Reece , Callum , Christensen and the academy ?
— Ger Shwmaeheddi (@GeraintGeorge32) March 5, 2021
Alright then calm down now , let the boy play !! He doesnt need this circus (English media) behind him
— AHA (@HTTS2205) March 4, 2021
He could genuinely be a one club man. Like terry like Gerrard ? rare breed but bleeds for his team
— Fluff (@Fluffhammer) March 5, 2021
It must be said that John Terry was handed the armband at 23 by Jose Mourinho so there wouldn’t really be much difference in terms of age if Mount were to be named captain.
However, there are numerous other leaders in the squad that manager Thomas Tuchel may look towards instead. As well as Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Jorginho and N’Golo Kante are all experienced players who could be considered ahead of Mount.