Chelsea star Mason Burstow has opened up on what life is like under Mauricio Pochettino and how the Blues boss helped him elevate his game. The 20-year-old is currently out on loan with Championship side Sunderland after impressing those at Stamford Bridge enough to warrant two Premier League cameos against Luton Town and West Ham.
He also played 65 minutes of Chelsea’s 2-1 win over AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup second round, before moving up north to Wearside to play under Tony Mowbray. Over the weekend, he found his first goal involvements with the Black Cats: an assist for Jack Clarke’s goal inside the first 10 minutes and winning a penalty in an eventual 3-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday.
The result put Burstow and Sunderland up to fourth, now eight points behind current league leaders Leicester City who have made a rapid start through the first nine matches of the season in the hunt to be promoted back into the Premier League. While the youngster has always been a No.9, he’s admitted to having to adapt to a new style of football that Mowbray has asked him to play – a challenge that he’s relishing.
“The gaffer when I came here spoke about playing football first and building up with the team. Then once you get in the final third, think about goals,” Burstow told the Sunderland Echo.
“Obviously that takes some adjusting for me as I’ve always been an out and out No.9. It is some adjusting for me but it’s working.”
Burstow also opened up about how the move came about, claiming that before the loan deal was agreed, Sunderland were initially after him on a permanent deal. Despite their advances, it was clear to him that the Blues had no intention of selling so Mowbray’s side were forced for settle for a loan.
“I knew at the start of the window there was interest,” he added. “It was mainly to buy me but then Chelsea weren’t having it and obviously I was part of Chelsea being on the bench a few times and coming on.
“Eventually Pochettino gave me the go ahead to go out on loan and that’s when Sunderland came straight back in. I knew they had interest the whole window, I knew they were watching me which made it a no-brainer to come here.
“It was amazing [to learn at Chelsea]. Obviously they are all elite players playing for an elite club and the gaffer is as good as can be. Learning from him and learning from the players I have been watching week in, week out is good.
“There are a few that get in contact with me [at Chelsea] now and make sure I’m settling in, asking about what the game plan is, the games ahead, just so when they’re watching they have an understanding as well. They are staying in contact and making sure I stay on the right track as well.”