Former Chelsea striker Carlton Cole has voiced strong criticism of Mason Mount’s decision to leave Chelsea for Manchester United in 2023, claiming the midfielder’s move has fallen short of expectations.

Speaking to TalkSport, Cole didn’t mince his words: “I’m embarrassed for Mason Mount. He left Chelsea to go to Manchester United and he thought the grass was going to be greener, and it isn’t. He might as well have stayed.”
Mount, once a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge and a key figure in Chelsea’s Champions League triumph under Thomas Tuchel, chose to leave his boyhood club in 2023 for a £55 million switch to Old Trafford.

At the time, many viewed the move as a step forward in Mount’s career. However, Carlton Cole’s remarks reflect what many Chelsea fans have been thinking: Mount’s time at United has been anything but smooth.
Injuries have hampered the England international since his arrival at Manchester United, with Mount struggling to find rhythm or consistency. Despite being given the iconic No. 7 shirt, expectations quickly turned into frustration as Mount found himself sidelined more often than not.
Recently, though, there have been signs of life. Mount has scored three goals in his last four games – a promising run of form that suggests he may finally be finding his feet at Old Trafford. With United set to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, Mount has the opportunity to end his debut season with silverware.

But for many Chelsea supporters, and clearly for Carlton Cole, that doesn’t make up for what was lost. Mount was a Cobham graduate, a Champions League winner, and a player who embodied Chelsea’s identity. His departure felt like a betrayal to some, and his underwhelming time at United only reinforces the sentiment that his move was a misstep.