Former Chelsea midfield feels ‘homesick’ after struggling to adapt at new club

Mason Mount ‘homesick’ after leaving Chelsea as midfielder struggles at Man United

The transfer merry-go-round can be a wild ride, especially when it involves leaving behind the comforts of home. Mason Mount and his switch from Chelsea to Manchester United last summer raised more than a few eyebrows, with many speculating about the reasons behind his departure.

Now, former Premier League star Bacary Sagna has weighed in, drawing parallels between Mount’s move and his own career shift, suggesting that the midfielder might be grappling with homesickness.

Mount’s transition to life at Old Trafford hasn’t been as smooth as many had hoped. Despite his undeniable talent, the 25-year-old has struggled to make his mark, making just 14 Premier League appearances and netting a solitary goal. Injury setbacks have certainly played a part in limiting his playing time, but even when fit, Mount has yet to justify his hefty £55m transfer fee.

Erik ten Hag’s decision to hand Mount a start against Crystal Palace earlier this week offered a glimmer of hope, but it wasn’t to be. United suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat, with Mount unable to inspire a turnaround. Reflecting on the match, Sagna pointed out the stark contrast between Mount’s performances at Chelsea and his struggles at United, hinting at a potential underlying issue. Here is what Sagna told Football London:

“Mason Mount was totally different at Chelsea he was one of the reasons why Chelsea won the Champions League,” 

“He’s used to one way of working, used to the players and staff at Chelsea. It’s not always easy when you have to go and start from zero. You can tell that he’s struggled to get comfortable in the team he has the qualities to be a very good player.”

“But if you don’t feel at the right time at the right spot, you’ll struggle to perform. Mentally, is he happy to be there? Is he happy to be in Manchester, which is totally different from London? I had a similar change because I went from London to Manchester, and I needed time to adapt.”

Homesickness!

The midfielder saw himself deeply embedded in the fabric of Chelsea, having spent the majority of his career at the club. The sudden shift to Manchester, with its unfamiliar surroundings and dynamics, could understandably leave him feeling out of sorts.

Starting from scratch can be a tough nut to crack, especially when you’re used to the way things are done back home. Mason’s been living and breathing Chelsea for donkey’s years, so shifting gears to United, it’s bound to throw a spanner in the works. Not that a majority of Chelsea fans would be concerned with how life’s faring for him away from the club, but the fact remains, he’s Cobham’s finest, he’s Mason Mount.

Is Mason feeling right as rain up there in Manchester, or is he pining for the bright lights of London town? Sagna knows the score – he made the jump from Arsenal to Manchester City himself, didn’t he? Needed a bit of time to get his head around the change, and he did.

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So, what’s the verdict, then? Well, Mason’s got bags of talent, that’s for sure. But unless he’s feeling like he’s in the right place at the right time, he’s going to keep on struggling. Might take a bit of time for him to settle in up north, find his rhythm. All is fine if it does not come at the expense of Chelsea though. That ship’s sailed.