18 March 2023 , 08:00
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Relations between Chelsea and the England national team could sour over Mason Mount and his initial inclusion in the Three Lions squad for the next round of fixtures.
England boss Gareth Southgate had selected the Blues midfielder for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine. It is a decision that does not seem to have gone down well with those at the top of the Stamford Bridge hierarchy, given Mount is thought to be nursing a pelvic injury.
Chelsea manager Graham Potter admitted during his Friday press conference he was surprised to see Mount's name on the squad list and while the club are keen to avoid a row with England over the issue, it is understood the Blues will want answers from the national team.
Potter also explained how Mount will not feature for the Three Lions despite his call-up, while sources from within the club are adamant England knew the 24-year-old was carrying a knock the entire time.
When asked if the midfielder had suffered an injury set-back between the time of his call-up and subsequent withdrawal, Potter claimed: "I’m not aware. He’s never been available as far as I’m aware."
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Following his admission surrounding the surprise of Mount's call-up, the Blues' boss was asked whether Chelsea will seek further information over the situation.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Was Southgate wrong to call up Mount while he is injured? Comment below
Mason Mount was called up to the England squad despite his injury (Getty Images)"Probably, as a club we will," he explained. "I don’t have all the contacts of all the doctors and so it’s not like I’m up to [speed] on everything here. But as far as I was aware, he wasn’t going to be available for us at the weekend.
"He needed a bit of time for his injury to settle down, which pretty much ruled him out of the England thing. Whether that means they needed a bit of time to double-check that, I don’t know.
"But I don’t think there’s anything untoward at all, it’s more sometimes these things can be named, but there are still a couple of days where things can be changed. But as far as I was aware, from my selection perspective, he was unavailable for the weekend."
It remains unclear whether Southgate will opt to call-up a replacement for Mount, with Southampton star James Ward-Prowse and Nottingham Forest ace Morgan Gibbs-White two of the options who could feature instead.
Mount is certain to be ruled out of Chelsea's last outing before the international break, which comes in the form of a home clash against Sean Dyche's Everton on Saturday evening. The Blues will fancy their chances, even without Mount, as they start to finally click under Potter.