Senior call a surprise but Mason is ready to step up
LOAN STAR GRATEFUL FOR HELP RECEIVED AT RAMS
DERBY County ace Mason Mount admits his England call-up came as a “surprise” to him - but insists he is ready to make the step up.
Mount is in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain.
It is the 19-year-old’s first time in the senior set-up, having only recently made his under-21 international debut.
The midfielder’s impressive form for the Rams in the Championship, since joining on a season-long loan from Chelsea, has earned him his chance to mix it with the country’s most talented players.
“I definitely feel comfortable,” said Mount. “All the coaches and the players I’ve played with, they’ve definitely got me ready for this opportunity.
“All the thanks has to go to them for what they’ve done.”
Chelsea have played a big part in his development, while his breakthrough campaign last season was spent on loan at Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem.
But Derby - and manager Frank Lampard - have also had a key role in his England call-up.
“A lot of the praise has to go to the players at Derby because without them I would not be in this position,” said Mount.
“The football we have been playing has been top football, so a lot of praise has to go with them.
“They are all buzzing for me. I got a lot of congratulations when I was called up and I think they were very happy for me.”
Mount has started all 15 of Derby’s games so far this season - and is their leading scorer with five goals in all competitions.
“I thought that I needed to keep playing as many games as I can, that was my goal this season,” he said. “Maybe the opportunity at Chelsea wasn’t there so I had to get out on loan and obviously with the gaffer (Lampard) and Jody (Morris) there, there was an opportunity for me to play quite a few games.
“That was the decision I made at that time and obviously me being chosen for the England senior team was a surprise for me as I’m playing in the Championship. Just playing as many games was the goal for me.”
As Mount alludes to, it is not often a Championship player is called up by England - but he has been impressed by the standard of the English second tier.
“It’s very tough,” said the teenager. “Playing once a week in Holland to now come into the Championship where it’s three games a week, it’s tough, it’s a different experience. You’ve got to learn how to adapt.
“The third game in we played Leeds and they’re a top, top team. There is some top talent in the league.
“It’s been tough but it’s been brilliant for myself.
“There are some experienced players at Derby – Tom Huddlestone, Richard Keogh, Curtis Davies. They have been at the top of the game. They welcomed me in well and I get on very well with them.
“I’m gaining so much experience being in England and playing in the Championship against players that are so experienced and have played at this type of level for so long. “So I’m learning every game.” Mount was drafted in to train with the senior England squad in the build-up to this summer’s World Cup.
He also got a chance to travel to Russia along with fellow rising stars Ryan Sessegnon of Fulham and Manchester City’s Phil Foden to soak up the atmosphere as Southgate’s men reached the semi-finals.
On Tuesday, he trained for the first time as an official England squad member at the team’s St George’s Park base near Burton.
“It is a very surreal moment coming into the senior squad,” said Mount.
“As a young kid, I always remember looking up to young players like Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, David Beckham.
“A lot of these players are playing Champions League football, they are playing Premier League football, they are the top, top players in the world, so it is definitely a step up.
“But when I get on the pitch, I try to play my football and to be tactically and mentally ready.”
The England squad are due to fly out to Croatia today ahead of tomorrow night’s game in Rijeka.
After that, they will travel to Spain for a showdown in Seville on Monday evening.
Mount will then report back for club duty with Derby as they gear up for a home clash with Championship leaders Sheffield United next Saturday (October 20).