Lionel Messi message to Mount after UCL victory revealed, as Blues turn attention to €70m-rated Madrid star
Chelsea young talent Mason Mount is already a Chelsea hero after helping the Blues to Champions League glory for only the second time.
A goal in the semi-final and an assist in the final of the Champions League capped off a sensational season for the youngster, as the Blues won the biggest trophy in Europe for a second time.
His performances have earned him recognition as one of the most valuable players in Europe – not just metaphorically, but literally too. According to the CIES Football Observatory algorithm, Mount has the biggest estimated value of any player currently playing in England’s capital.
Worth a mammoth £106.3m, the 22-year-old is currently the tenth most valuable player in Europe’s top five leagues. Given how well he played last campaign, you have to say that appraisal is well deserved.
And it has to be said, he is already proving Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi right.
The Argentine was once asked about the best young prospects in European football and he picked out Mount as a player who could impress on the biggest stage for years to come.
“Having watched him play, he has the potential to be on the best,” said Messi.
Blues turn attention to €70m-rated Madrid star
Chelsea have reportedly both offered to pay defender Raphael Varane the double salary he earns at the La Liga giants Real Madrid to move to the Premier League, a report says.
The west Londoners are set for another eye-catching summer of spending after becoming the UEFA Champions League winners on Saturday.
Reports claim that chairman Roman Abramovich will back Thomas Tuchel strongly in a bid to help the tactician create an ’empire’ at Stamford Bridge.
Centre-half will prove an important department to address, with the Germany international Antonio Rudiger’s future uncertain.
Thiago Silva may be in line for a fresh deal but at 36 years of age, the Brazilian’s time at Chelsea is limited.
At 28 years of age, Raphael looks a fine option to take that mantle for both the Blues. He has become one of the best centre-halves in Europe after signing for Madrid back in 2011, but doubt has emerged about his future.
He has only a year left on his contract and Madrid have indicated that they’d be willing to sell if he decides to leave. Furthermore, Defense Central claims that they’d demand at least €70 million (£60 million) for their player.
For now, though, the west Londoners have said that they’ll double Varane’s salary, meaning he’d earn €12 million (£10 million) per season.