Strange theme noticed in Chelsea’s Mason Mount departure to Manchester United announcement

Chelsea have officially announced that academy graduate Mason Mount has left the club after 18 years.

Mason Mount has completed his move to Manchester United for a fee of £55 million plus a further £5m in add-ons.

He becomes Erik ten Hag‘s first signing of the season, with the Dutchman keen to improve his Premier League midfield as he embarks on his first Champions League season as United manager.

Both clubs announced the move at the same time, however, Chelsea’s announcement contains one strange theme – Manchester United are not mentioned once in their full announcement.

“Mason Mount has today ended his 18-year association with Chelsea after completing a permanent move away from the club,” their club statement read.

“The England international started training with the Blues at the age of six and signed as an Under-9. Mount went on to win the FA Youth Cup and the UEFA Youth League before embarking on successful loan spells at Vitesse Arnhem and Derby County.

“It was ahead of the 2019/20 campaign that Mount was incorporated into the first-team squad at Stamford Bridge. He became a mainstay of Frank Lampard’s side and made more than 50 appearances in his debut season; a feat no other academy graduate had previously achieved.

“Mount went from strength to strength. There were 21 goal contributions the following season and in an FA Cup tie against Luton Town, the academy graduate became the youngest player to captain the side since John Terry.

“His 2020/21 campaign ended strongly under Thomas Tuchel. Mount struck in the Champions League quarter-final against Porto, in the semi-final against Real Madrid, and in the final it was his pass that freed Kai Havertz to score Chelsea’s winner.

“Chairman Todd Boehly and co-controlling owners Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano said: ‘Mason is a consummate professional and a popular figure at the club. We want to thank him for all his efforts on and off the pitch throughout his time at Chelsea.’

“Mount was named 2021 Player of the Season by supporters. It was an award he retained 12 months later having helped the Blues claim the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, while there were also a further 29 goal contributions during the 2021/22 season.

“He made only 35 appearances last term as an injury restricted the midfielder to just three substitute outings after February but he leaves Stamford Bridge having played 195 times and scoring 33 goals for the Blues.”

Mason Mount has become the ninth player to play for both Manchester United and Chelsea, with Mount himself pushing for the move.

“It’s never easy leaving the club where you grew up, but Manchester United will provide an exciting new challenge for the next phase of my career,” said Mount.

“Having competed against them, I know just how strong a squad it is that I’m joining, and I can’t wait to be part of this group’s drive to win major trophies.

“Everyone can see that the club has made big steps forward under Erik ten Hag. Having met with the manager and discussed his plans, I couldn’t be more excited for the seasons ahead, and am ready for the hard work expected here.

“I am hugely ambitious; I know how amazing it feels to win major trophies and what it takes to do it. I will be giving everything to experience that again at Manchester United.”