The midfielder is currently away on international duty with England and spoke to reporters ahead of the Three Lions’ clash with Ireland this evening, with Mason confirming that he feels most at home when occupying a ‘No.8’ role in midfield, just as he has done in recent weeks for Frank Lampard’s Blues.

‘I’ve played midfield my whole life,’ said Mount. ‘I’ve varied between playing a bit more forward in a No.10 position but I always kind of see myself as a No.8.

‘I’ve definitely got a range of longer passing in my locker and you can bring that out more when you’re playing in that deeper No.8 position. I do like that [central] role. It allows me to build up play with the ball and also get forward and join the attack.’

It could mean that England boss Gareth Southgate may find room to play both the Chelsea Academy graduate and Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish in the same side, with both players rich in form this term.

While many on social media clamoured for Grealish to start instead of Mount in the last round of international fixtures, Mason has learnt to ignore the comments of external influences and insists he is only concentrating on doing his best for Chelsea and England.

‘You see comments here and there,' said the midfielder. 'I'm not one to really look too much into social media and that side of it.

'I know it's big in football now, especially when the fans are not at the stadium, but it doesn't really bother me too much. The main focus for me is on what I'm doing on the pitch. I'm trying to be the best I can and blocking out everything else that comes with it.

'I'm a player who wants to do their best for the team and work hard. And maybe people take that the wrong way. When you join England, you're with world-class players and you want to do the best to show what you can do.

‘I'm very headstrong and don't really let too many things get to me. Frank lets me deal with it myself which is the best thing.'

Playing at international level is something that Mount has taken in his stride over the past year and our homegrown midfielder believes the grounding he had from years in our Academy has played a big part when going up against Europe’s elite on the international stage.

‘The whole thing about life at Chelsea is that you've got to compete against players coming in from all over Europe,’ Mount explained.

‘It doesn't matter if you're just starting off in the Under-8s or you're in the first team and I think that's kind of the beauty of the club.

‘It brings the best out of the players. So no matter who comes in, I will always be up for the battle.’