Mason Mount’s dad has revealed the midfielder was unfazed about competition from new Chelsea players Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech and said: ‘They won’t take my place.’
Mount played more than 50 matches for Chelsea last campaign but there were fears he would have to accept a reduced role during this season after the London club signed Havertz and Ziyech last summer.
Despite the increased competition at the club, Mount remained a regular player for Frank Lampard before his sacking in January and has been a key member of Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
‘He saw the players coming in as a massive challenge,’ Mount’s dad Tony told talkSPORT. ‘People were saying he would lose his place and he was aware of that.
‘Mason’s attitude was brilliant. He thought Chelsea were bringing quality into the club and he’s desperate to win things.
‘He didn’t look at that as anything other than good for the club, good for the team, and a challenge for him. ‘I remember talking to him about it and he said, “They won’t take my place, I’ll raise my game”.’
Such has been Mount’s influence at the club, the England international has even been tipped as a future Chelsea captain by the likes of Jamie Redknapp and John Terry.
‘He has got that in him,’ Tony Mount added. ‘For him to be made captain by Frank Lampard for the Luton game was a massive honour. He just cherished it.
‘That’s bred in him from a competitive point of view and the way he was brought up. He’s a Portsmouth boy, his grandad was a boxer and went to every game.
‘I took him with me to non-league football, so he’s seen the other side of it and can look after himself.’
Chelsea are now fourth in the Premier League table and travel to Elland Road to play against Leeds United on Saturday.
