Published 09 June 2021 2 min read
England Men's Senior Team
Mount finds his touch
The second instalment of Lions’ Den connected by EE saw Mason Mount join Josh Denzel to talk about the importance of grassroots football, answer some fan questions and strut his stuff on the golf course.
The Chelsea midfielder has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past couple of seasons culminating in winning his first silverware with his boyhood club in the Champions League Final at the end of May.
Having joined the Blues in 2005, the now 22 year old was sent out on loan twice, to Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands and then Derby County, before breaking into the first team with his parent club in 2019-20.
But growing up in Portsmouth, Mount can still remember turning out for his local teams and the importance that grassroots football had in setting him out on his path to the pinnacle of football.
“We all started at grassroots level so that was a really big part of our careers. A big part of it is enjoying your football at that age,” said Mount.
“It’s not all about winning at that age and the love of the game. When you get older then that pressure starts to come but I owe a lot of thanks to the grassroots set up.”
09 Jun 2021
33:19
Lions' Den episode 2
Mason Mount was the guest on Wednesday as the countdown continues to EURO 2020
A player who always seems to have a smile on his face, enjoying the game is clearly something that remains important to Mount and there’s no shortage of evidence to back that up.
Often featured laughing and joking on social media with his best friend and England teammate Declan Rice, Mount believe that the relaxed attitude of the players will be an important factor in their success at UEFA EURO 2020.
“There’s quite a few jokers in the team,” he added. “My mate Dec likes to have a laugh so he’s got to be up there.
“Because we’re all so close there’s a lot of people who have a joke and a laugh together.
“It’s really relaxed in the squad and we aren’t always focused on football and I think that’s what you need - to be able to switch off and we have that.”
Mount played down his golf game when asked but once again delivered on the big stage when he chipped in to win fan Liam a signed shirt, ball and entry into the matchday prize draw.