I’d be careful comparing Mount to Gini. Let’s also not forget we have the example of Ox, which didn’t turn out to be great. Mixed success at best, though also unlucky with injuries, but even when he was fit, it didn’t click for longer periods with him in midfield.
Plus, initially, I think we had something different planned with Gini, regardless of him playing deeper here than at Newcastle. I’d say there’s that difference, but also the difference once we had Gini on our hands, saw his strength and limitations and together, he became again something different. I think initially, he was supposed to takeover Coutinho’s role (who played a bit 50-50 either as the attacker off the left or the offensive LCM), but in a more disciplined way.
I think Gini’s first two seasons were very much hot and cold. His importance definitely grew more from 2018 onwards. In 16/17, both Hendo (at #6) and Lallana (as RCM) had better seasons than him, even if numbers wise Gini has a very solid season. Second season, even that dropped and I think we were looking at new upgrades and improvements. I remember ending that 16/17 season, going onto the big stage of CL, feeling objectivelly that Gini is our weakest CM link.
Hence why we moved to sign Ox in the summer of 2017, secured Keita in a big transfer the same summer and 1 year in advance(!). Signed and officially announced Fabinho less than 24 hours after Kiev and were chasing Fekir in following weeks/months of the 2018 summer. Questionable whether we had a change of structure planned or maybe viewed Fekir as a Sturridge replacement, to be sort of a new backup false #9 (or a better, more central Shaqiri, let’s say).
Gini then reacted brilliantly to us basically signing players who were supposed to form a new midfield. The start of 18/19 was among his best periods for us. He came back a different man for the start of that season. Realized his place is under the biggest threat. Fabinho initially struggled (we didn’t even see him for the opening part), Keita initially showed promising signs, but Gini covered both at LCM and also as #6 when Hendo was out. He was fantastic.
I mean, yes, clubs sign players where they have a different idea what to do compared to their ex-clubs. It happens everywhere. Is it always successful and as planned and easy as we like to think? I don’t think so. Gini was a success with time, Ox was very much a mixed bag as a midfielder, more no than yes. And please let’s not go back to a few goals against City to have it as huge CM success (even if I felt he would’ve started the Kiev final and try threaten Real in offensive transitions against Kroos if he was fit, Gini was out for a few weeks around the semi final and nobody really missed him).
Does Mount work hard as an individual, do I see him from the outside as a pretty sound fella who would put the team first, accept certain changes to elevate his career? Yes, I do.
Is this a summer where I want to take a player like him, which would still be a relatively big transfer (fee, wages, status and expectations combined), only to TRY to convert him into a proper midfielder, when we really need one or two precise midfield upgrades and immediately? No, I wouldn’t.
I understand it’s attractive on paper and easy to get seduced, but there are many other right and possibly even better moves for us. Let Chelsea or someone else deal with Mason Mount’s career, let them figure out what to do.
I say this summer, for us, knowing there are no guarantees regardless if it’s Bellingham or Mount, is for no f*cking about or being too clever, but using every penny we have on 2-3 new players who provide elements we absolutely need right now.
