“He made excellent forward runs” – National team boss full of praise for Chelsea goalscoring hero

Gareth Southgate praises Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount

Speaking after the win against Iceland, Gareth Southgate picked out Chelsea ace Mason Mount for special praise.

The young midfielder put in an excellent performance alongside close friend and Blues transfer target Declan Rice.

Not only did Mount score but helped the Three Lions hold the midfield in an impressive night. A double from Phil Foden and another from Rice ensured England won 4-0 on the night.

Mount’s goal showed incredible awareness for a youngster. The 21-year-old created space for himself in a crowded penalty area before putting it into the net.

Playing centrally, Southgate felt Mount contributed much to the team’s forward runs. Coming off an uninspired loss to Belgium, Mount combined well with the players around him.

“I thought he made excellent forward runs, our attacking play was very, very good.”

Mount’s performance is vindication for Southgate’s backing for the much-maligned player.

The Chelsea star’s inclusion in the England setup has been questioned by a number of different sources. It prompted national team heroes such as Ian Wright and Ashley Cole to throw their weight behind Mount.

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Mount is an excellent player whose efforts are sometimes underplayed. As long as he keeps performing on the pitch, his detractors can feast on humble pie.