Chelsea icon Emmanuel Petit has urged Mason Mount to stay at Stamford Bridge and told Mauricio Pochettino to build the team around the England international.

Manchester United’s offers for Mount have been rejected by Chelsea with the star having just twelve months left on his contract at Stamford Bridge.

Petit told Genting Casino: “I hope Chelsea can keep Mason Mount as a potential player to build the team around.

“I remember the best season at Chelsea came from the foundation of English players. I think that identity is also very important to the fans as well.

“One of the best teams ever at Chelsea were built around players like Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and John Terry. There are so many foreign players currently at Chelsea who have no fraternity with each other.

“This is a priority for me. I hope Mason Mount and Reece James – who are both players who represent the club – stay so that Chelsea and their new players can be centered around them.”