Paul Merson has warned Chelsea owner Todd Boehly not to sell Mason Mount and says it would be ‘bad business’ to allow the England midfielder to join a Premier League rival.

“Mason Mount was by far Chelsea’s best player last season. He was outstanding,” Merson told Sky Sports.

“It’s different when you come through the ranks at a football club because you cost nothing. When you get bought for a lot of money you’re viewed as more of an asset.

‘Whoever gets Mason Mount has got the biggest result ever. The kid can play. It’s bad business by Chelsea – they should give him what he’s asking for.

“You don’t offload your best players. There are so many players that need to get shipped out of this Chelsea squad before Mount.

“When you hear whispers of the teams that want to buy him that tells you everything you need to know.

“‘If Liverpool go and get Mount and then Jude Bellingham, who could also go to Liverpool, you’ve got a title-contending team.

“Why would you want to chance that if you’re Chelsea? Why would you make them stronger? I’m a huge fan of Mount, he’s a top-class player.

“He’s not playing at the moment because of his contract situation. With the size of the squad, they aren’t going to pick a player who won’t sign a new contract.”