Mount eager for another chance to take on Modric

Mason Mount cannot wait to pit his wits against Croatia playmaker Luka Modric again, just a month on from the England midfielder being left gobsmacked when one of his boyhood heroes asked for his shirt.

Gareth Southgate's men kick off Group D at Wembley tomorrow against the side that broke English hearts in the World Cup semi-finals in Russia three years ago.

Modric ran the show as Croatia came back to secure that 2-1 extra-time win and England will be looking to exact revenge under the arch, where Mount is hoping to get the better of the veteran once more.

The Chelsea midfielder went toe-to-toe with the 35-yearold in the Champions League semi-finals and played a key role in knocking out Real Madrid before going on to win the final against Manchester City.

"He has always been a player that I have looked up to," Mount said. "Ever since he has been in the Premier League with Tottenham, I have watched him quite closely.

"Playing against him, it was weird because I had watched him so much, I kind of knew his moves and what he was going to do. It helps being a fan of a player and then playing against him because you know what he likes to do.

"The experience of playing against him helps because you want to be in these big games and learn how to handle the pressure and big moments.

" I gained a lot of experience from them two games."

Mount did not only play against Modric but took home his shirt, with the 2018 Ballon d'or winner then requesting his jersey at Stamford Bridge.

Asked what it felt like knowing Modric wanted his shirt, Mount smiled and said: "It was brilliant for me obviously to speak to him and he wants my shirt so I was quite overwhelmed, yeah."

Mount’s Chelsea teammate Mateo Kovacic does not believe Croatia's World Cup semi-final win will give them a psychological advantage against an England side that the midfielder says are dealing with the weight of expectation.

There remains a sense of 'what if ' around England's run in Russia, which has increased hope amongst their supporters ahead of the European Championship.

Kovacic - the only Premier League player in the Croatia squad - knows a tough afternoon lies in wait tomorrow.

"We know England have young, fast and agile players," he said. "Their fans are also expecting a lot from them. It will be difficult for us.

"I wished my English teammates luck, and they offered the same gesture, but everyone will be fighting for their own side.”

Asked if the 2018 semi-final win over England provides a psychological advantage, Kovacic added: "I don't think so. It's been three years.

"This is a new competition and they are focused on this match, which is important because it's their first of the tournament."