Chelsea's attacking midfielder Mason Mount has gotten stuck into international duties straight away with the Englishman hard at work already ahead of friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast.
Gareth Southgate's side are starting to really ramp up their preparations for November's World Cup out in Qatar, so it's no wonder he has picked a very strong squad for upcoming friendlies. Two big names that were left out however were Man United pair Marcus Rashford and more surprisingly Jadon Sancho with Southgate showing his ruthless side for this March international break.
Southgate said at a press conference: "The other attacking players in the squad are slightly ahead of him at the moment in our feeling. You can see the names there: Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Jack Grealish, if you look at the seasons that they have had.
"Jadon without a doubt over the last few weeks, his performances have improved with Manchester United but it is an area of the field where we have really big competition for places. And at the moment we have those guys slightly ahead."
On Rashford, he added: "He is in the same position as everybody else. Whether they are in the squad or not in the squad, they all have to play well over the next period of this season and in particular the beginning of next season.
"It is a difficult time for him and he is clearly not at his best but there is plenty of time. We know a lot about Marcus any way, we know what he can bring to us and hopefully he can rediscover that form that we know he is capable of."
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It was not a surprise to see Mount in the team, despite recent struggles. His star quality was back on show for Thomas Tuchel when he needed it in games against Norwich and Middlesbrough. With the 23-year-old expected to receive some minutes during these next two upcoming fixtures, football.london takes a look at the four things Mount has already done during this international break.
Five word arrival message
Just like all England players who get filmed upon arrival at St George's Park, Mount's arrival was unsurprisingly rather upbeat despite all the uncertainty going on off the pitch in west London. Despite all the turmoil off the pitch, there has been a real unity shown on the pitch since the news of sanctions against Roman Abramovich hit the world.
Six wins in six coupled with some beautiful football played had prompted the Chelsea star to make a rather pointed "we let our football do our talking" remark after the win in Teesside. Upon exiting the car, Mount admitted with a large smile on his: "It's good to be back!"
Conor Gallagher embrace
Crystal Palace loanee Conor Gallagher was one of three Eagles players this season that made this most recent squad, with Tyrick Mitchell and Cobham graduate Marc Guehi also making the cut. Gallagher has impressed Tuchel, and football.london understands that 22-year-old is set to be given a role in Chelsea's squad next season.
These next two fixtures are more opportunities for people associated with Chelsea to evaluate Crystal Palace's current No.23's credentials upon his return in May. He was certainly warmly welcomed into the fold once again by Mount.
Harry Maguire tackle
One player who could be described as rather fortunate to receive a call up was Man United's campaign who hasn't had a good season so far under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick. Despite this, Southgate decided that the Sheffield born defender still merited a call up ahead of someone like a Fikayo Tomori.
"I don’t think it ever crossed our minds not to select Harry Maguire for this squad. He has been a key part of the starting XI that got us to a World Cup semi-final and a European Championship final," he revealed. "I know the club are going through a difficult period but you have to look at who are our best players and the core of that team and he is in that group. No doubt in my mind that he is one of our best centre backs and form in that sense is temporary."
Taking time out for fans and playing pool with his mates
Away from the football itself, the former Derby and Vitesse Arnhem loanee wanted to ensure that fans who attended open training got what they wished for. After a session, Mount and other players spent time signing pictures and having their photo taken with fans who have formed a close connection to the Three Lions since the last World Cup back in Russia and the most recent European Championships.
Chelsea's main man was also pictured playing pool with Man United's Luke Shaw. Some fun and games away from the competitive nature that other nations will endure, like club teammate Jorginho's Italy, who are embroiled in crucial World Cup qualifying fixtures.
"Very easy – a holiday for the players that have the chance," Tuchel responded when asked what he wanted to see his players doing during the international break post Middlesbrough. "That they recharge and disconnect from football because they deserve and it is also very important that they take this possibility to come with a fresh mindset for the last eight weeks of the season and the guys who go for international duties I hope they have the success they want and they come back not injured."
