It’s mind-blowing – Chelsea slammed for making first mistake of the Mauricio Pochettino era

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Paul Merson fears Chelsea have already made the first ‘mind-blowing’ mistake of Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure by allowing Mason Mount to join Manchester United.

He told Sky Sports: “I cannot believe Chelsea are letting Mason Mount go.

“We saw it last season with Antonio Rudiger, who was outstanding and one of the best defenders at the club. He asked for more money and they didn’t give him it and then they buy Kalidou Koulibaly for £33m on a four-year contract which works out as more money than what they’d give Rudiger.

“Now they’re doing it with Mount. He’s one of their own, he hasn’t had a very good season but they’re judging it just on one season. The year before he was Chelsea’s best player. He was one of the first names on the teamsheet for England. Now they’re letting him go. It’s mind-blowing.

“They’ll bring someone in who will probably take another year to get used to the league because they will have played abroad.

“You’re also letting a very good footballer go to Manchester United or Liverpool, who Chelsea are fighting with to get into the top four next season. You couldn’t write it.

“How can you let him go to a club that could majorly haunt you? United won’t believe their luck if they get him.”