WHY ERIK TEN HAG WANTS MASON MOUNT AT MANCHESTER UNITED

Chelsea FC's Mason Mount

As we enter the 2023 summer transfer window, Manchester United will be expected to, once again, strengthen the squad in order to further improve upon a relatively successful first season in charge for Erik ten Hag. The club's spine is in desperate need of reinforcements with a number of goalkeepers, centre-backs, midfielders and centre-forwards being linked with the Red Devils. Perhaps the player most strongly linked in recent weeks is Chelsea's Mason Mount. The English midfielder endured a disappointing season for the Blues during the 2022/23 campaign and, with one year remaining on his current deal with the club, a move appears increasingly likely.

Erik ten Hag has admired Mount since his productive loan stint with Vitesse in the Eredivisie during the 2017-18 season where he recorded an impressive 9 goals and 8 assists in just 22 league starts — a fantastic return for a teenager. It's evident that Ten Hag values familiarity and this up-close experience would certainly enhance the Dutch coach's interest in the Chelsea midfielder.

Whilst the 2022/23 season was a difficult one for Mount, it's worth noting that Chelsea were a completely dysfunctional side without much direction, thus making it nearly impossible for any player to perform to their fullest potential. This was a similar situation to Marcus Rashford's 2021/22 season where Manchester United were largely directionless on the pitch for most of the season and the England star struggled as a result. Under the guidance and leadership of Erik ten Hag, Rashford completely transformed his performances, winning the club's player of the year award.

In the case of Mason Mount, he won two consecutive player of the year awards for Chelsea during the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons when he was playing his best football, and the latter season is largely what I will be focusing on in this piece.

BEYOND THE PITCH

Despite his years of experience at the highest level of club and international football, Mason Mount is still just 24 years old. He's a regular England international and has been a key player for Chelsea for a number of seasons, including winning the Champions League in 2021. That level of experience is invaluable and has likely been a significant factor in Manchester United's pursuit of the Englishman. Another factor is his notable Premier League experience and, as such, he will require no adaptation to the quality and intensity of the competition.

Mount has been spoken very highly of by his past coaches, especially current England head coach Gareth Southgate. These coaches often see things that the regular fan does not have access to and there's a reason why Mount has been a regular starter and key player for a number of different teams and systems. It is common knowledge that Erik ten Hag values strong personalities who will create a positive environment in the dressing room and this certainly appears to be the case with the Chelsea playmaker.

Additionally, Mount only has one-year remaining on his current deal at Stamford Bridge, thus encouraging Manchester United to attempt to sign him at a reasonable price. According to a number of reports, the Red Devils are willing to pay a fee in the region of £50 million, whilst Chelsea are seeking a fee of approximately £70 million + add-ons. This is evidently a considerable gap in valuation and the clubs would need to come to a compromise, but one would imagine that Mount's contract situation is one of the main factors driving United's interest in securing his signature. If Chelsea's asking price can be brought closer to United's desired figure, personal terms are unlikely to pose an issue.

Another extra-curricular factor likely driving Manchester United's pursuit of Mason Mount is the Premier League's homegrown player quota. According to Premier League registration rules, a club can have no more than 17 non-homegrown players aged over 21 registered in the squad for a particular season. As such, in a 25-man squad, 8 players must be considered homegrown (excluding players aged 21 and under). To be considered homegrown, a player must have spent at least 3 years with an FA-affiliated club before turning 21 years old. This is a rule that affects the big clubs quite often. For example, Manchester City have kept veteran goalkeeper Scott Carson in their squad as the third-choice shot-stopper largely because he helps the club fill its homegrown quota. That brings us to Manchester United.

A major clear-out is expected at Old Trafford this summer, with the likes of Jack Butland, Dean Henderson, Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe, Harry Maguire, Brandon Williams and Scott McTominay all expected to depart the club during this summer transfer window. As all of these players are considered homegrown, it increases the club's need to acquire more players who will assist in meeting the homegrown quota. Enter: Mason Mount. The England international will help with registration requirements whilst simultaneously improving United on the pitch. But how exactly does Mount play that has attracted the interest of a number of clubs?

TECHNIQUE IS COMMUNICATION

Mason Mount is one of the premier technicians in English football today. This is reflected both aesthetically and statistically. During the 2021/22 season, Mount recorded 11 goals and 10 assists in just 27 Premier League starts for Chelsea. This reflects his standing as a well-rounded attacking midfielder and both a creator and finisher, with the latter being of particular interest to a Manchester United side in need of more goals.

Mason Mount's shooting — source: FBREF.com (powered by Opta)

*compared with positional peers in the English Premier League per 90

**statistics calculated during 2021/22 season

Mount is a very capable goalscorer with good shot volume and this strong statistical evidence supports this. He also over-performed his expected goals (xG) data, showing his proficiency and reliability as a finisher. The eye-test supports this notion about Mount, too.

Mason Mount goal vs. West Ham United — source: Chelsea TV

Mount possesses incredible technique and ball-striking abilities as exemplified by the above goal. The poise, anticipation and technique on display are genuinely elite and reflective of a player who is capable of special things when playing with confidence in a cohesive system. He's particularly potent in the right half-space where he looks most comfortable and can strike the ball in a variety of ways. He also specialises in late runs into the box whereby he can move undetected, as also shown by the following goal.

Mason Mount goal vs. Sheffield United — source: Chelsea TV

This particular goal is a fantastic example of Mount's intelligent off-ball movement and recognition of space. He knows where, when and how to move to put his side in an advantageous position and he has the technique to make best use of these positions. He finishes this chance with aplomb on his weaker foot and this is indicative of the Englishman's exemplary technical qualities on both feet — a result of great fundamentals.

Mount regularly makes himself an option offensively, but also remains tactically and positionally diligent, hence the admiration many managers have for his abilities. Ranking in the 93rd percentile for touches in the attacking third during the 2021/22 season, Mount can be the creative hub for his side, but can also operate as one of a number of playmakers in a team. It ultimately depends on how a manager wants to deploy him and that represents much of his value.

Mount is actually an underrated playmaker by the majority of fans. He ranked in the 94th percentile for goal-creating actions during the 2021/22 season, with goal-creating actions being defined as the two offensive actions that lead to a goal, such as a pass, dribble, shot leading to another shot or a player being fouled, subsequently leading to a goal. This exemplifies Mount's involvement beyond pure goals and assists which may not fully represent a player's impact on a team offensively.

He's a progressive and penetrative passer who often attempts difficult passes, but rarely at the expense of a structured team attack.

Mason Mount's passing — source: FBREF.com (powered by Opta)

*compared with positional peers in the English Premier League per 90

**statistics calculated during 2021/22 season

Mount is a high-volume, progressive passer whilst also being an elite decision-maker. He never appears rushed or flustered and often understands where and when to make a defence-splitting pass. Ranking in the 97th percentile for both expected assists and passes into the penalty area, as well as the 90th, 92nd and 93rd percentiles for key passes, assists and progressive passes, respectively, the Cobham-graduate is a versatile playmaker and absolutely devastating in a coherent system.

Mount is a particularly remarkable creator in the half-space. His intelligent off-ball movement allows him to find space and his expert decision-making and excellent technique often results in the perfect pass.

Mason Mount assist vs. Norwich City — source: Chelsea TV

The above goal also displays Mount's effectiveness when surrounded by runners as he's able to use his high-quality passing abilities more effectively and into more dangerous zones.

Offensive set-pieces have been a notable weakness for Manchester United throughout recent seasons and Mount's acquisition would go some way to remedying that. He has a fantastic delivery from both direct and indirect set-pieces, with his corners being particularly effective.

Mason Mount assist vs. Brighton & Hove Albion — source: Chelsea TV

Mount generates devastating whip on his deliveries, making them a godsend for attackers and a nightmare for defenders. During the 2021/22 season, Mount ranked in the 99th percentile for goal-creating actions from dead-balls, showing the England international to be a world class set-piece taker. This is likely to be another factor in Manchester United expressing an interest in Mount as Erik ten Hag attempts to limit the team's weaknesses and maximise its strengths.

A HIGH-POWERED ENGINE

One of the attributes that coaches admire most about Mason Mount is his relentless work-rate. The Chelsea star is tireless in his pressing defensively, as well as constantly moving without the ball in a Steph Curry-esque fashion when his team is in possession. He possesses a tremendous motor both in and out of possession, with the latter being particularly valued by his coaches. Mount gets through plenty of defensive work in a given game, largely through his timely and aggressive pressing.

Data analytics site smarterscout gave Mount a ‘defending quality’ rating of 79 out of 100 during the 2021/22 season, as well as a rating of 86 for disrupting opposition possessions. However, perhaps the most impressive of these statistics is his rating of 94 out of 100 for defensive ground duels. Clearly, the Portsmouth-born midfielder is an impactful defender and would certainly add more solidity to United's midfield trio. It's a night-and-day difference between himself and Christian Eriksen defensively, with the latter often being a metaphorical traffic cone on the defensive end, particularly against higher quality opposition.

As mentioned prior, Mount also possesses a phenomenal motor in possession. He's a strong ball-carrier, which is a desperately-needed skillset in Erik ten Hag's midfield, as made evident by past pursuits of Frenkie de Jong and Adrien Rabiot. Mount does much of his best carrying in advanced zones as he enters the final third.

Mason Mount's carries — source: FBREF.com (powered by Opta)

*compared with positional peers in the English Premier League per 90

**statistics calculated during 2021/22 season

Mount is an impressive ball-carrier across the board, but his carries into the final third truly stand-out. Both in settled possession and transition, this can be an incredibly valuable trait for Ten Hag's side. Manchester United possess gifted passing playmakers, but have a lack of midfielders capable of creating as ball-carriers; Mason Mount would immediately improve the team in this respect.

Having examined Mount's skillset in and out of possession, it's important to examine where he would fit into Erik ten Hag's system at Manchester United and how exactly he'd improve the team's performances.

SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM

Based on the midfielders linked to Manchester United this summer — namely Adrien Rabiot and Mason Mount — it appears as though Erik ten Hag wants to deploy the shape he used during the 2021/22 season with Ajax. In this shape, he used two advanced no. 8s offensively, most often in the form of Ryan Gravenberch and Steven Berghuis.

Ajax attacking shape (2021/22)

With the acquisition of Mason Mount, Manchester United would be able to duplicate this system in essentially every position but with higher quality players. Control and progression in deeper positions would come from the goalkeeper, defenders and holding midfielder, hence the purchase of Lisandro Martínez last season, as well as the links to the likes of Diogo Costa, Jurriën Timber and Kim Min-jae in order to raise the technical level of the more defensive players.

In this system, Mount would be able to play in his natural right half-space position, thus allowing Bruno Fernandes to play in the left half-space where he's more comfortable as he currently tends to drift into that zone as Manchester United's no. 10, occasionally unbalancing the team's shape as Christian Eriksen or Fred is often deployed in the left half-space in possession. Mount's presence would also allow Bruno Fernandes to operate as more of a roaming playmaker as he's done at times under Erik ten Hag during the Dutchman's first season in charge. Fernandes would have the freedom to roam into deeper positions and use his expansive passing range to spray the ball around the pitch as Mount occupies defensive players in advanced areas.

From the right half-space, Mount can use his devastating ball-striking in a number of ways. One of his greatest strengths is his pinpoint crossing, especially from the half-space. During the 2021/22 season, Mount ranked in the 93rd percentile for crosses, often generating wonderful whip on these deliveries which are tremendously difficult for defenders to deal with successfully. Overlaps and underlaps from full-backs and wingers will give the England star numerous options such as open passing lanes or crossing/carrying opportunities via decoy runs.

One of the reasons Mount is so effective in the half-space is his incredible control on the half-turn. He rarely has his back entirely to the opposition goal as he's often prepared to receive and move forward quickly, creating dangerous attacks for his team.

Mason Mount goal vs. FC Porto — source: BT Sport

The above goal is a perfect example of Mount's superb ability on the half-turn. His body is oriented in such a manner that he can receive the ball comfortably with either foot depending on the pass and the position of his marker. For this goal, he turns away with his left foot which immediately puts him in on goal before he finishes expertly.

This goal is also an example of Mount's press-resistance. He can sense opposition pressure extremely well and knows where and how to turn away from it and into space. We often think of press-resistance in deeper zones, but it's just as important in advanced areas against deep and compact blocks in order to create high-quality chances. Mount thrives in these situations and would be crucial to breaking down low-blocks, which will become increasingly common as Manchester United continue to improve.

Despite the aforementioned comfort in the right half-space, Mount is nearly just as adept at playing in the left half-space when required.

Mason Mount touchmap (2021/22 Premier League) — source: smarterscout

The above graphic shows Mount's positional versatility and ability to remain heavily-involved and effective in possession. This speaks to how tactically astute the player is, with the coaches knowing they can expect similar performance levels regardless of his role. His high footballing IQ means he can smoothly adapt to a number of systems, making a transition to Erik ten Hag's side much easier. The Dutch coach deploys a rather complex system that requires seamless tactical understanding, therefore new signings would need to adjust to the new tactics and detailed instructions; this wouldn't be a difficult task for the young Englishman.

Mason Mount crab cake — source: Cannon Stats

This graphic is that of a remarkably well-rounded midfielder. He isn't necessarily a singularly transformative force like Kylian Mbappé or Erling Haaland, but he's a sublime technical floor-raiser, a tactically versatile playmaker and a tireless workhorse. This kind of player is highly valued by coaches and it comes as no surprise that the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool have joined Manchester United in their interest in Mason Mount.

CONCLUSION

Whilst most fans would've preferred a first-phase midfielder — a role I've spoken about in detail recently — that doesn't appear to be the direction in which Erik ten Hag wants to take the team. As mentioned prior, the pursuit of Adrien Rabiot for midfield depth further supports this notion. If Erik ten Hag indeed wants to play with two advanced no. 8s, as appears to be the case, Mason Mount is one of the best options currently available on the market for all of the reasons stated in this article. He would immediately strengthen Manchester United's technical security, improve the team's pressing abilities and make them more defensively stable. He's a dream player for any detail-oriented manager and, by all accounts, the quintessential Erik ten Hag player.