Derby's Mason Mount thriving on the pressure after being tipped for England

He has been hailed as England’s next great hope after making a huge impact during his first two months on loan at Derby from Chelsea.

Gareth Southgate even made a scouting trip to watch him in action last week.

Mount was invited by Southgate to train with the England squad ahead of the World Cup and now he is in line for a shock call-up for the Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain next month.

Playmaker Mount has struck five goals this season, while creating more chances than anyone in the division.

He topped that with a starring role in the Rams’ shock Carabao Cup win over Manchester United on Tuesday.

But victory at Old Trafford, and even the prospect of his first senior England call-up, does not even come close to fazing the youngster.

He said: “It gives me more confidence that the England manager is recognising what I have been doing on the pitch.

“That’s what I want to be doing — talking with my feet, trying to do things on the pitch that will make people take notice.

“I’m young and I play with no fear — just try to do the best I can. That’s all I can do for the team and for the club.

“My mum and dad, how they’ve brought me up, you’ve always got to be confident about how good you are.

“But you don’t need to shout and scream about it though. That’s not what I do.

“They’ve always told me to let my feet talk. The only pressure I put on myself is to perform.”

Although he tries to push England recognition to the back of his mind, Mount cannot escape the fact he is being primed for big things.

Southgate’s decision to snub Liverpool’s Champions League tie with Paris Saint-Germain in favour of checking on Mount playing against Blackburn gave a clear indication of what the England boss is thinking.

Mount had been promoted to the Under-21s over the last international break, creating the opener and scoring the winner in the 2-1 win in Latvia.

Ahead of today’s Bolton trip, he said: “I’m so proud to be called up for the 21s, and getting a goal and an assist on my debut.

“But I just can’t think about an England call-up possibly coming. It’s not in my mind. I could never start behaving like I’ve made it — my mates would be the first to tell me.

“My dad as well — he would definitely not ever let that happen. But I wouldn’t let that happen to myself either.”

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