Chelsea refuse to mention Man Utd in parting statement to Mason Mount
- Mount has left Chelsea after 18 years at club
- Man Utd to pay initial £55m for midfielder
- Blues did not mention Red Devils by name when announcing his exit
By Sean Walsh
Chelsea have said their official goodbyes to Mason Mount, but did not mention that he would be moving to Manchester United in their parting statement.
Mount's move to Old Trafford was confirmed on Wednesday morning, bringing an end to one of the summer's most high-profile transfer sagas.
90min were first to reveal that the Blues were holding out for a total package worth £60m, with Man Utd agreeing to pay £55m up front and a further £5m in add-ons.
In his first interview with Man Utd's club channels, Mount admitted it was not easy to leave Chelsea, while he posted a video on social media on Tuesday night announcing his departure and bidding farewell to his boyhood club.
Chelsea announced Mount's departure shortly after Man Utd teased his arrival, but notably did not mention his new club by name.
The Blues' statement read: "Mason Mount has today ended his 18-year association with Chelsea after completing a permanent move away from the club.
"The England international started training with the Blues at the age of six and signed as an Under-9. Mount went on to win the FA Youth Cup and the UEFA Youth League before embarking on successful loan spells at Vitesse Arnhem and Derby County.
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"It was ahead of the 2019/20 campaign that Mount was incorporated into the first-team squad at Stamford Bridge. He became a mainstay of Frank Lampard's side and made more than 50 appearances in his debut season; a feat no other academy graduate had previously achieved.
"Mount went from strength to strength. There were 21 goal contributions the following season and in an FA Cup tie against Luton Town, the academy graduate became the youngest player to captain the side since John Terry.
"His 2020/21 campaign ended strongly under Thomas Tuchel. Mount struck in the Champions League quarter-final against Porto, in the semi-final against Real Madrid, and in the final it was his pass that freed Kai Havertz to score Chelsea's winner.
"Chairman Todd Boehly and co-controlling owners Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano said: 'Mason is a consummate professional and a popular figure at the club. We want to thank him for all his efforts on and off the pitch throughout his time at Chelsea.'
"Mount was named 2021 Player of the Season by supporters. It was an award he retained 12 months later having helped the Blues claim the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, while there were also a further 29 goal contributions during the 2021/22 season.
"He made only 35 appearances last term as an injury restricted the midfielder to just three substitute outings after February but he leaves Stamford Bridge having played 195 times and scoring 33 goals for the Blues."
LISTEN NOW
On this week's edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders is joined by Toby Cudworth, Graeme Bailey and Sean Walsh to discuss Man Utd's priorities after agreeing a deal for Mason Mount, the latest on Arsenal's move for Declan Rice, Tottenham's targets and more!
If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!