Graham Potter's message for Mason Mount amid Chelsea contract standoff

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter admits he hopes to see talks with Mason Mount over a new contract resolved quickly, describing the midfielder as “fantastic” and an “important player”.

Negotiations over a new deal between the club and Mount’s representatives are yet to yield an agreement, despite willingness from both sides to extend the 24-year-old’s stay at Stamford Bridge.

90min understands that Mount does want to stay at the club but only if Chelsea are prepared to reward with him a package that reflects his importance to both club and country.

Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle United are all watching Mount’s situation closely, with the situation becomingly increasingly urgent from Chelsea’s point of view as he has just 18 months remaining on his current contract.

Under-pressure Potter, who is attempting to integrate a raft of new signings into his squad, answered questions on Mount’s future in his latest press conference, and expressed his hope that it wouldn’t be too long before an agreement is reached.

“It’s always complicated, there is always negotiation,” Potter said, when asked specifically whether on how keen he is to see Mount sign a new deal.

“It’s best I leave it between Mason and the club, that is the best way for that to be dealt with as far as I’m concerned. He’s been fantastic to work with, an important player for us, and of course, I hope it gets resolved quickly.”

Chelsea have already renewed the contract of one homegrown star this season, Reece James, and have a number of other decisions to who to keep and who to sell – Mateo Kovacic, Cesar Azpilicueta, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christian Pulisic and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are all into the last 18 months of their respective contracts.