Graham Potter acknowledges any new Chelsea contract for Mason Mount must be right for the player, who has been linked with a move away after falling out of favour at Stamford Bridge.
Mount's current Blues deal expires at the end of next season and, with fresh terms yet to be agreed, the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United have been credited with an interest in the midfielder.
The 24-year-old has missed Chelsea's last two games – wins over Leeds United and Borussia Dortmund – through injury, though he started just one of their previous four matches across all competitions.
Potter outlined his desire for a swift resolution to Mount's talks with the club last month, but with no visible progress being made, he accepts the England international may need to take his time.
"Ultimately it is between the club and Mason," Potter said on Friday. "I have spoken to him numerous times about his situation, football and life generally.
"My feelings for Mason are clear. He is a fantastic person firstly, but sometimes these things happen.
"They are just complicated and it is best that I speak little about it, let them get on with it in deciding what is right for both parties.
"I am not naive. I know it is an important time for him and an important contract. These things have to be right for him and his family. It's important he makes a decision on that basis."
Mount has made 32 appearances for Chelsea this season, 26 of them starts, with his tally of six goal contributions only bettered by Raheem Sterling (10) and Kai Havertz (eight) in an underwhelming campaign for the Blues.
Nashville SC v San Jose Earthquakes: ‘A win would change everything’ - Godoy
Anibal Godoy insists that Nashville are already looking at their game against San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday as a must-win.
Nashville have won just once in the MLS this season and sit in 14th place in the Eastern Conference after a run of four without a win.
The Earthquakes, meanwhile, are bottom of the Western Conference having lost eight of their matches and recording just one win.
Godoy is aware of how their poor start to the season could affect their playoff hopes later down the line but is confident that Nashville can turn things around.
He said: “For us, it's an important week. It's a day we have to win, or we'll start to feel the pressure from other teams as they start to separate in the table.
“This league is long but if we want to get to the playoff you have to win games early on, especially at home.”
Liverpool agree compensation deal for Slot
Liverpool and Feyenoord have reached an agreement in principle over a compensation deal for Arne Slot to become the Reds’ manager next season, according to widespread Dutch media reports.
The Dutchman is reportedly poised to take over from Jurgen Klopp, who announced in January that he would be leaving the club at the end of the campaign.
Slot led Feyenoord to their second Eredivisie title last season after taking over the club in 2021.
It is believed that he topped the list of Liverpool’s favoured candidates due to his attacking playing style and ability to develop players.
Former Liverpool midfielder, Xabi Alonso, who led Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title, and Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim were also reported contenders to take over from Klopp.
Slot had already confirmed his interest in managing in the Premier League, both earlier this week and previously when he was linked to Tottenham in 2023.
QPR 4-0 Leeds United: Shock loss for Farke's men seals Leicester's promotion
QPR thrashed Leeds United 4-0 in the Championship on Friday, ensuring Leicester City booked their promotion straight back to the Premier League.
Ilias Chair was the star for the Hoops as he scored the opener and assisted two more goals to ensure QPR will stay in the Championship for another season.
Lucas Andersen, Lyndon Dykes and Sam Field also got their names on the scoresheet in an emphatic win for Marti Cifuentes' side.
Leeds' heaviest defeat of the season was a huge blow in the race for an automatic promotion spot, with Ipswich Town just one point behind them in third place with two games in hand going into their away clash against Hull City on Saturday.
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