Mason Mount is back with England U19s hoping to lead the Young Lions to a successive Euro title this season.
The playmaker, currently on loan at Vitesse Arnhem from parent club Chelsea, is part of Paul Simpson’s squad at St. George’s Park preparing for their season openers against Poland and Germany.
And after being one of the key players in the title-winning side in July, he wants to use that know-how to help inspire the new squad to similar glory.
“I’ve spoken with the manager and he wants me to bring that experience back and pass it on to the other boys,” revealed the 18-year-old.
“We’ll need that this season, little things like game management in the qualifiers. It’s very important and if we want to go and win it again, we’ll need that.
“It was such a great experience at the finals, though, and to win it was brilliant.
“We had a great team spirit and we want to replicate that going into the new season.
“We knew we’d get through the group and beyond that, we knew we’d go on and win it.
“The games were tough but we knew how good we were as a team and that if we played our stuff, nothing was going to stop us and that showed in how dominant we were.
“This season we just need to focus on our own game and winning.”
The Portsmouth-born midfielder has enjoyed a fine few years in his embryonic career so far, having helped Chelsea to back-to-back FA Youth Cup titles and then the Euros.
He’s now looking to make the step up again after joining Dutch outfit Vitesse and following in the footsteps of numerous young players from Stamford Bridge.
And the prospect of learning his trade further in a strong domestic league such as the Eredivisie is something which Mount had always wanted to do this season.
“It was always an aim for me to go out and play professional men’s football, so it’s a good introduction there and then we’ll see what happens,” he explained.
“The football is unbelievable. It’s very technical so it suits me a lot and I’m looking forward to the whole season.
“I’ve already settled in very well. There are four Chelsea boys out there too so it’s been quite easy to get in with the team, especially having arrived later.”
Tickets for the Young Lions’ game with Germany at Mansfield on Tuesday 5 September cost just £3 for adults and £1.50 for concessions and OAPs.
They can be purchased in person from the ticket office at One Call Stadium or via telephone on 01623 482 482. Supporters can also pay on the day of the match up until kick-off.
