Glen Johnson thinks Chelsea fans would’ve been “very angry” with the sale of Mason Mount to Manchester United a year ago but now they aren’t “that bothered”.
Man Utd have agreed a deal to sign the England international for an initial £55m from Chelsea with an additional £5m dependent on appearances and success.
The 24-year-old is understood to have agreed a five-year contract, with an option for a further year, and his medical was completed on Tuesday.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Twitter: “Mason Mount’s medical was fine and successfully completed — waiting for Manchester United announcement. #MUFC Mount’s expected to share his ‘goodbye’ message to Chelsea — then Manchester United will unveil Mount as their first summer signing.”
Some Chelsea fans won’t be happy that Mount, who was a crowd favourite, has been sold to a Premier League rival – but former Liverpool and Blues defender Johnson reckons his form over the last 12 months has led to apathy.
On whether Mount will be a success at Man Utd, Johnson told Betfred: “Yes, I do think he will be a success at Manchester United. Things didn’t work out for him during his final year at Chelsea and he had his injuries, but he’s still a bloody good player.
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“I’m not sure that he’s the type of player that Manchester United need right now, but I do believe he will get himself into the team and ultimately improve the side.
“Regarding whether Mason will ruin his relationship with the Chelsea fans, then if he made this move a year ago then yes, I believe the club’s fans would have been very angry, but right now, then I don’t think they would be that bothered.
“I know he was a player that came through the academy, but he hasn’t been playing and he had injuries on top of that, so I think the Chelsea fans would have struggled to accept it more if Mason was their main man.”
Mateo Kovacic is also on his way out of Chelsea with Manchester City buying the midfielder for £25m and Johnson thinks that could be their biggest loss of the summer.
Johnson added: “Yes, I think it’s going to be one of the biggest losses for Chelsea this summer. They’ve got decent money for him, but they’ve sold him to a better side that he’s going to improve.
“It was obviously a tough decision for Chelsea to sell him to City, but he’s going to thrive at Manchester City as he’s going to be surrounded by world-class players and he himself is a world-class player. It’s very good business from Manchester City’s side.”
Kai Havertz is another player sold to a Premier League rival with the Germany international sold to Arsenal for £65m.
On Havertz’s move, Johnson continued: “I know he can look very good on his day, but considering the way he plays, he’ll probably suit Arsenal more. He would suit their style of play due to how technically gifted he is and he’s clever both on and off the ball.
“However, if Arsenal are struggling, he’s not the type of player that’s going to roll his sleeves up and still perform. Kai needs everything around him to be working and if it’s not, then I think he’ll struggle.”
