Former Blues defender Glen Johnson has backed Chelsea to beat Arsenal to the transfer of West Ham midfielder Declan Rice if Mason Mount remains at the club.

Mount is entering the final year of his Chelsea contract with his future far from resolved.

“Right now he is hot property and there are so many other teams who are going to want him,” Glen told Lord Ping.

“Arsenal are not going to be able to compete financially when it comes to salary or transfer fees against City or Bayern or PSG – it is just not going to happen.

“I think he would be a great fit at Arsenal because he has the technical ability and he would suit that team down to the ground. But, if he is available, then the bigger teams are going to take him.

“I think Rice is more likely to go to Chelsea than Arsenal, especially if Mount stays. They are obviously good friends, they go way back.”