The countdown to Qatar continues, and Mason Mount will cut a relieved figure after finally getting on the board for contributions at Chelsea this season.
Mount goes down as one of Gareth Southgate’s most trusted players, and though his spot on the plane is not in doubt if he stays injury free, the emerging argument that James Maddison should be going too has increased the competition among England’s attacking midfielders with a month to go.
Two assists on Saturday were Mount’s first of the season, and they helped open the door against a managerless, and largely hopeless, Wolves side at Stamford Bridge. It had looked as though Chelsea would head into half-time goalless despite their dominance, but they eventually converted their 14th attempt when Mount’s cross was met by a looping Kai Havertz header.
Again Mount opened Wolves up for Christian Pulisic to add a second, before Armando Broja scored his first Chelsea goal late on to cap off a fine week for the club.
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Cancelo and Foden excel as Man City breeze past Southampton - player ratings and analysis08 October, 2022“The week we’ve just had has been fantastic,” said head coach Graham Potter, with Chelsea beating both Milan and Wolves 3-0 at home.
“We’ve made some steps with the group with how we’re acting. The attitude of players has been really good. Their effort to what we’ve been trying to do is fantastic. They’re a good group to work with.”
Seven changes did little to disrupt Chelsea’s flow, and Cesar Azpilicueta’s industrious shift ensured Reece James could sit comfortably on the bench until he was called on for a 20-minute runout.
Chelsea vs Wolves player ratings
Mason Mount – Sent an effort wide of the near post after 20 minutes and watched another chance flash wide moments later. When wide right, on a rare occasion, his cross found Havertz perfectly for the opener. Some quality defensive work after half-time helped his teammates out, right before he assisted again for Pulisic. Subbed off in the 71st minute after a stellar shift. 8/10
Conor Gallagher – Flashed an early shot wide with Chelsea on the front foot. Was everywhere, from a crucial interception one end to setting up Havertz for an opportunity the other. Has some engine on him. 8/10
Diego Costa – A very familiar face in these neck of the woods was starting for the visitors for the first time. It was his first Premier League start since 2017, too, although he was a peripheral figure in the first half. He had touched the ball just four times in the first 35 minutes, and his best work came defensively before the break. Great ovation when coming off, probably his highlight of the match. 5/10
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And with Chelsea unbeaten in four since his arrival last month, Potter will surely welcome the sight of what looks like a united and competitive squad as they travel to Italy to face Milan again on Tuesday.
“I’ve said from the start I’ve been impressed with how open, honest and responsible they are,” Potter added. “It’s difficult to keep the same XI with the schedule but there is an element of consistency to how we play. Really happy with the boys and how we’ve recovered. We go again on Tuesday.
“Premier League players want to play every week. You can only pick 11 and you have a squad of 20 so there’s always disappointment. How you react to that as a group is really important. That’s my job. All you can do is communicate as honestly as you can.”
Beyond Mount and Azpilicueta, another standout performer on Saturday was Conor Gallagher, who has an engine to rival any box-to-box midfielder in the Premier League.
One minute he’s intercepting in his own area, the next he’s creating chances in the other, and while the argument appears to have been settled on whether Jude Bellingham starts for England – months after it was whether he makes the squad – there may be time to debate if Gallagher has time to creep back into Southgate’s World Cup thoughts.
Gallagher already has four senior England caps, having turned Southgate’s head during his loan spell at Crystal Palace, but did not earn a recent call-up given he has been in and out of the Chelsea side.
Whether he remains in Potter’s plans could depend on the fitness and form of his midfield teammates, but displays like Saturday will do Gallagher’s chances no harm, especially as his versatility suits a Chelsea side that appear to change formation five times a match – a Potter favourite, it would seem (although 4-2-2-2, 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 all look the same when attacking that Wolves side).
Southgate, meanwhile, is expected to name a provisional squad the week after next before finalising it by 13 November, and should Gallagher make the longlist then his performances could slowly bump him up the order, particularly with Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips an injury doubt.
There could, however, only be room for four central midfielders – going by Daniel Storey’s predicted squad, at least – and so with Mount, Bellingham and Declan Rice shoo-ins, it may require Southgate to look beyond Jordan Henderson (unlikely, given his experience) or eliminate a wide forward to find space for Gallagher.
Only time will tell, but there are still 10 more games before the World Cup for Gallagher to make an impression.
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