Chelsea head coach Graham Potter has praised the conduct of Mason Mount amid frequent speculation regarding his future.
The playmaker has been viewed in a positive light throughout his Chelsea career having contributed 33 goals and 37 assists from his 192 appearances in all competitions.
However, the academy graduate has endured a testing 2022-23, producing his worst season in terms of numbers and having to deal with an ongoing contract situation.
With his existing deal due to expire in 2024, efforts have been made to extend Mount's terms at Stamford Bridge, but they have so far failed to find a resolution.
As it stands, the club's hierarchy are allegedly not willing to meet Mount's demands of parity with other England internationals and his desire to pen a shorter contract length than seven years.
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Naturally, a number of Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and Liverpool, are said to be monitoring the situation, while Mount is also been linked with a reunion with Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich.
The 24-year-old also failed to make a single appearance during March, a combination of a pubic injury and suspension for the second leg of the Champions League last-16 with Borussia Dortmund.
Commenting on Mount's situation at a press conference, Potter has taken the opportunity to praise the professionalism of a player who would reportedly prefer to stay with the West Londoners than move elsewhere.
Potter told reporters: "It's been tough for him because he's had niggly injuries and noise off the pitch.
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"He's a top professional, how he's acted with me and around us has been top. Sometimes if things in your career aren't optimal, you've got to act well and he has."
Potter also revealed at the same media briefing that Mount is back in contention after injury and could feature from the substitutes' bench against Aston Villa.
Saturday's fixture is the first of six games to be played in 18 days, Chelsea also facing Liverpool, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Real Madrid (twice) and Brighton & Hove Albion during that period.
Mount has made 26 starts and six substitute outings for Chelsea in all competitions this season, chipping in with three goals and six assists.
Darren Plant
