The second international break of the 2018 / 2019 season is upon us, however, the irritation it brings has been slightly lessened by the inclusion of Mason Mount in the senior squad.
Mason, just 19-years-of-age, has gate-crashed his way into Gareth Southgate’s squad after a succession of impressive performances working under Frank Lampard, at Derby County, where the teenage midfielder is on a season-long loan deal.
Over the coming days, England play two important fixtures, first up on the menu is a game against Croatia, this evening, followed by a game against Spain early next week.
It remains to be seen as to whether Mason gets the opportunity to make his senior debut of has to make do with watching the action from afar.
Personally, I hope the talented youngster gets a cameo appearance against Spain and I’ll tell you why.
Tonight, when England take on Croatia, it will be a surreal game.
After the Croatian supporters decided to carve a Swastika on the pitch at a previous game, UEFA decreed that the game tonight will be played behind closed doors, something that will create an eerie atmosphere, with every shout the players make probably being clearly heard.
Come the day when Mason sits down and recalls when he made his debut for the senior side, I feel it would be far better if he were able to recall a night on the Iberian peninsula with thousands of Spaniards baying for English blood as opposed to a night in Croatia where his introduction would be witnessed by a selection of ball-boys, a few press in the stand and some England supporters trying desperately to get a glimpse of the action from the few vantage points they’ll be allowed access to outside the ground.
Come on Gareth, save the lad for the Spain game!