Don’t sa y Teacher’s
MOUNT INSISTS HE’S GETTING NO FAVOURS
MASON MOUNT divides opinion. Managers love him. Many fans do not. But the Chelsea star insists he has never felt like a Teacher’s Pet.
The critics have been out in force this season, on social media especially, asking why Mount continues to get a look- in for club and country.
Many England fans can’t understand why Gareth Southgate keeps picking him ahead of flashier talents like Jack Grealish.
And some Chelsea fans are on his case too, wondering why Frank Lampard plays him so much when the Blues have a wealth of other options.
But Mount has a thick skin, a burning determination, and a deaf ear when it comes to his knockers, who need to realise he isn’t getting special treatment.
Asked whether he ever felt like he is given special treatment by managers, the 21- year- old said: “Not at all. I’m a player that wants to do the best for the team and work hard.
“Maybe people take that the wrong way. You see comments here and there. But I’m not one to look much into social media. It doesn’t bother me.
“I know people say a lot of bad things. I’m very headstrong and I don’t really let too many things get to me. I like to deal with it on my own and get through what’s been said.
“The most important people that are in your life are going to help you – listen to them. That’s what I’ve always done.”
It is certainly paying off. Mount has carved out a place with club and country and is seen as a key player by Lampard and Southgate.
When Chelsea were signing Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz this summer, some predicted it was Mount under the most threat. It hasn’t worked out that way.
Mount said: “Your whole life at Chelsea you’ve got to compete against players coming in from all over Europe. That’s the beauty of the club. The competition is so high.
“It brings the best out of the players. No matter what player comes in, I will always be up for the battle.”
Mount has started six of Chelsea’s eight Premier League games this season, in a variety of positions.
With one goal and three assists in 12 games across all competitions, he hasn’t been anywhere near as productive as Grealish has for Aston Villa.
But where Grealish is often accused of holding the ball too long, Mount moves it quickly. ckly. Southgate also believes he is s better without the ball when it comes to pressing opponents.
During the last international break, some saw it as a straight battle between the two. But Mount feels there’s a place for both of them in the England team.
He said: “The comparisons ns are not just. Me and Jack do different things. We are focused used on our own positions. Hopefully efully we can all work together.
“I’d never look at it as a rivalry. We are two team- mates who play for the same country. We can play in different roles.
“I look at the way he’s been n playing this season, he’s been unbelievable elievable and we both want to bring that hat to the next three games coming up. .
“You know what he can do, he’s a world- class player that can n create and score goals and that’s what we need in any England team.”