Mason Mount's performance for England against Iran proved why it is often unfair to judge him solely on his numbers. The 23-year-old didn't get a goal or an assist, he didn't play any eye-catching passes or jink through the Carlos Queiroz attempted blockade: he just moved, found space, moved again into more space before getting the ball in lots of space.
For Mount as well, his pockets of space seem smaller on the pitch but can be just as effective as having clear yards around him. When there's 11 men in front of you and no room outside the box, it can be hard to find areas not occupied by a defender. The full-backs and wingers had the joy in that sense, but yet Mount was still available on his neat half-turns throughout the game.
Bukayo Saka got two goals, Harry Kane got two assists, Jude Bellingham ran the show, but Mount was integral to the whole thing. On one hand he thrived in a working system, something he hasn't been afforded at Chelsea in recent weeks, but on the other hand he truly made the most of it.
