Mason Mount could make his England debut in Southampton on Tuesday as the national team play Kosovo in a European Championship qualifier.
The 20-year-old has emerged as a key player in Chelsea’s first team this season and will be no stranger to the surroundings of St Mary’s Stadium if he is included in Gareth Southgate’s plans for the match.
Mount, born in Portsmouth, had trials with Southampton during his younger days but proceeded to join Chelsea’s academy.
Now, just days before he could make his England bow at St Mary’s, Mount is expecting a somewhat hostile reception from the local fans in attendance.
As quoted by The Daily Echo, he said:
Yes, I expect some stick. I was born in Portsmouth so I am a Pompey boy and a Pompey fan. But I have this badge on at the moment so that doesn’t come into play too much. I am looking forward to playing at Southampton and it is a massive game for us.
I trained with Portsmouth, Southampton and Chelsea but being a Pompey boy, I always wanted to play for Pompey. When Chelsea came in that was my main goal to go and play for them. Chelsea was a massive team. But I always support Pompey and look at their results.
Read Southampton’s verdict
It’s always interesting to see how players who had fleeting spells in Saints’ academy have progressed since. Tyrone Mings is one who jumps out, having been released by Southampton for being too small.
Mount didn’t seem to be in with a great chance of making a name for himself at Chelsea as they sent him out on loan to Vitesse Arnhem and Derby County, but he has been heavily involved under Frank Lampard.
He’s a good player and has massive potential. It’s just a shame that, firstly, he’s a Pompey fan, and secondly, we couldn’t convince him to develop here!
