Chelsea attacking midfielder Mason Mount may be forced to drop into a deeper role at Stamford Bridge if the Blues confirm the signing of RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku, according to journalist Paul Brown.
Co-owner Todd Boehly provided more than £250 million for transfer purposes over the summer but the club are already seemingly planning further large investments.
What is the latest on Nkunku?
The 24-year-old has penned a pre-contract agreement with Chelsea and is set to make the move to west London next summer, according to The Athletic.
The report adds that Boehly is willing to pay above Nkunku’s £53 million release clause in order to wrap up a deal as soon as possible.
BILD journalist Christian Falk had previously reported that the player had undergone a medical in Frankfurt last month as part of his first steps towards Chelsea.
Nkunku has made an impressive start to the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 10 goals in 14 appearances in all competitions, including in Leipzig’s recent 3-1 victory over Celtic in the Champions League.
The eight-cap France international is not the only star Chelsea want to poach from the German outfit, however, with The Telegraph reporting that centre-back Josko Gvardiol is also highly-coveted at Stamford Bridge.
What has Brown said on a move for Nkunku?
Brown understands that, if Chelsea do complete the signing of Nkunku, it could result in Cobham graduate Mount – who has previously been described as ‘exceptional’ by England boss Gareth Southgate – occupying a deeper role.
The journalist told GIVEMESPORT: “Mason Mount can certainly play in a deeper role. He’s done it before. He’s very good at it. Part of it is going to be dictated by what players Chelsea bring in and, yes, because Nkunku is coming in, and they’re quite crowded in forward areas, it may be that Graham Potter sees Mount slightly further back where they’re likely to lose more people over the next few years.”
Read more: Champions League 2022/23: Fixtures, Draw, Dates, Schedule, Final, Teams and Everything We Know So Far
Would this be a problem for Mount?
While the England international has predominantly been used as an attacking midfielder or as part of a front three at Chelsea, he has shown an ability to play deeper in the past.
One notable example came last season when Thomas Tuchel played him alongside Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho as part of a midfield three, in a clash that saw Chelsea beat Tottenham 2-0.
He has clearly quickly earned the trust of Potter too, with the former Brighton chief starting Mount – who currently earns £88,000 per-week – in all four of his games in charge so far, utilising him as a winger, central midfielder and attacking midfielder.
If Nkunku does arrive, it probably isn’t Mount who needs to be worried.
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