Mason Mount will make his 62nd appearance of the season against Italy at Molineux as England go in search of their first win in this Nations League campaign.
The Chelsea midfielder proved to be key for Thomas Tuchel this season as he racked up more goal contributions than anyone else at Stamford Bridge with 13 strikes and 16 assists. Mount has proven to be as key for Gareth Southgate with the ability to play in central midfield, as a No.10 or as part of three-man attack in support of Harry Kane.
On this occasion the striker has been rested as Tammy Abraham starts, but the Three Lions persist with Mount off the back of the busiest season of his career having played in six separate competitions in club football in addition to the international schedule. The Cobham product started in defeat to Hungary and the draw with Germany but failed to set the pitch alight, with some believing that signs of fatigue were showing from a lengthy 2021/22.
READ MORE: Chelsea chief on Levi Colwill plan, three standout loans stars and Todd Boehly meeting
After the selection of his squad, Southgate pointed to the strength in depth he holds as a reason for James Maddison not making the group. Mount's continued selection raises questions around this point, despite his versatility.
Southgate said: “He [Maddison] has finished the season very well. He is obviously scoring goals but we just feel we are very happy with the players that have been with us. He is competing with Mason Mount and Phil Foden and these types of players in the role where he is at his best.
“It’s one of the positions where there is a lot of strength in depth and you may have to leave players out who may be equally as deserving.”
Mount was substituted against both Hungary and Germany following subdued displays. Admittedly, there's an argument his struggles were as much a result of the team performance as his own, but it remains that a rest may have been warranted. With Kane's absence suggesting that rest and rotation has been part of the England boss' thinking, it seems fair to question the continued use of Mount, despite his qualities.
Only a month remains before Chelsea's international stars will be expected to join up with their club teammates to head on the pre-season tour of the USA and Tuchel and his staff will be praying they can return refreshed, with another England game to come against Hungary following Saturday night's exploits. Injuries to Romelu Lukaku and N'Golo Kante on international duty have already ensured the Blues have not came away unscathed.
Reece James makes his first start of this international phase while players who have enjoyed some of the developed with the Blues, Fikayo Tomori, Declan Rice and Tammy Abraham all start.
England XI: Ramsdale; James, Maguire, Tomori, Trippier; Rice, Ward-Prowse; Sterling, Grealish, Mount; Abraham.
