Thomas Tuchel is linked with the England job. (Image: Getty)
Thomas Tuchel’s potential appointment as the next permanent England manager, replacing Gareth Southgate, could evoke a sense of nostalgia for the days when Mason Mount was a regular on the senior scene at Chelsea. Mount, who emerged and established himself during Southgate’s eight-year reign, has since seen a decline in his role.
But Mount has yet to represent England since earning his 36th cap in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final defeat to France.
That was in December of that year – 22 months ago – and he has a long way back to return to contention after Southgate’s departure.
Seven months after his latest England appearance, Mount left Chelsea for United in a £60million deal but hasn’t been able to get going at Old Trafford.
The 25-year-old’s first year and a half in Manchester has been hounded by injury issues, limiting him to just 25 games and 11 starts.
His tally of one goal and one assist in those outings hasn’t threatened club captain Bruno Fernandes’ status as an untouchable starter.
But Mount was showing promising signs with his work off the ball and efficiency on it during pre-season.
He started the Community Shield match against Manchester City and United’s opening two Premier League fixtures against Fulham and Brighton and Hove Albion.
Then, injury struck again, followed by a brief return to action, followed by his latest spell on the sidelines due to a head injury he sustained in the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at the end of September.
Mason Mount hasn’t played for England since 2022. (Image: Getty)
If Mount can resume his encouraging start to his second season at United upon his return – especially during Fernandes’ rough patch of form – he will be on the right track.
The 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be in his and several other Premier League midfielders’ sights.
Should Tuchel be appointed England’s new boss, the pair’s outstanding relationship from their days at Stamford Bridge could work heavily in his favour.
The former Bayern Munich boss is reportedly in talks with the FA over the position.
Tuchel and Mount lifted the Champions League together during the German’s tenure as Chelsea’s head coach. The latter has made no secret of his admiration.
“He’s been massive for me, to come in halfway through a season and do what he did last year, to win the Champions League and develop us all as players and as a group, he’s been brilliant since the first day he’s come in,” Mount explained in December 2021.
“For me personally, he’s helped me on and off the ball, and he’s helped me with confidence. And the way I like to play is very similar to the way he sets up and how he wants us to play.
“So I’m loving it, I’m loving every moment and hopefully we can keep winning things.”
If Tuchel doesn’t become the first foreign England manager since Fabio Capello, he will be considered one of the frontrunners to replace Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.
That would be a similarly exciting outcome for Mount, about whom there will still be optimism of a resurgence in red.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1961011/Man-Utd-news-Thomas-Tuchel-England-Mason-Mount