MOUNT UP FOR LEADING ROLE
Captaincy is ultimate dream for versatile Blues star
MASON MOUNT is happy to be Gareth Southgate’s MrVersatile for now – but admits the role he has set his heart on is England captain.
The multi-purpose midfielder has led Chelsea out twice under Thomas Tuchel.
And as he prepared for England’s opening World Cup qualifier against lowly San Marino tonight, he insisted that wearing the armband for his country remains the ultimate dream.
“It is a massive honour to be captain for Chelsea,” said Mount. “It is such a surreal moment to lead your players out.
“As a kid I dreamt of playing for England. I achieved that and being a captain for your country is such a big honour and achievement so I would love to do it in the future.”
Few would bet against Mount given the way managers from Frank Lampard, at Derby and Chelsea, through to Southgate and Tuchel have come to rely on him.
There is no better demonstration of his bewitching magnetism than the German leaving him out of his first Chelsea line-up, then a dozen games later making him skipper.
“He went for a more experienced team,” said Mount. “I understood and wanted to get back in so that motivation and that fire I have inside me came out.”
His positive reaction to setbacks, his motivation, his durability are not in question, but it is his versatility that could prove his most valuable England asset. Mount admitted that talents such as Jack Grealish and Phil Foden have the ability to take his breath away in games and in training.
But in a 23-man squad for this summer’s Euros, a player who can slot into any number of midfield roles will be one of the first names on Southgate’s list.
Mount was praised by Tuchel for playing “three different positions” in the FA Cup win over Sheffield United on Sunday – inside forward, false nine and a deeper role.
“I would probably say it was five,” he said with a smile. “But as players we’re very versatile.
“Any game that comes up you have to change sometimes. That is what the modern game is about.”
Mount should have no problem picking his way through San Marino, given their status as the weakest team in qualifying.
And even with the tests stiffening through Albania and on to Poland next week, Mount believes England can dismantle any opposition.
“We know what we can achieve,” he said.
“We have a very strong group here and we want to start very well. We want to win trophies, that’s all of our goals.”
Notional focus may be on the World Cup but, in truth, these three games are about fine-tuning for the Euros.
“We know what’s corner,” said Mount.
“We are all very excited for that opportunity and we know what we can achieve. It is a possibility of achieving greatness.
“It is a very exciting time for us and for the whole country and we’re looking forward to it.” around the