In 2008/09, Ryan Mason provided something like 37 goals and 19 assists in a season for the Tottenham Hotspur Under-18s. I say ‘something like’, because statistics for matches at that level are not made readily available, and so some digging around is required. The tally may have been greater.

He played mostly as a traditional number ten, but sometimes as an out-and-out forward. He formed a lethal partnership with Jon Obika, and it was no surprise to regular watchers when he was offered and signed a professional contract in June 2008. He made his Tottenham Hotspur debut as an 18-year old in the UEFA Cup (as it was then known), coming off the bench against NEC Nijmegen. Involvement in the England Under-19 and Under-20 set-ups illustrated that he was not only rated within the club.

Sally Williams, a Telegraph journalist, wrote in her 2009 article that Spurs were keen for her to meet Mason, with John McDermott speaking highly about his ‘mono vision’, and saying ‘He’s incredibly dedicated, verging on obsessed.’ This obsession and dedication were to come in more useful than he might have believed at the time.

Ryan established himself as one of the integral players for Spurs’ Under-21s, playing consistently well in a central midfield berth in the Under-21 Premier League

In 2009/10, a move to League One club Yeovil Town seemed the ideal way to toughen up a skinny, injury-prone player, and it was there that he was first played in central midfield. An impressive first season on loan led to involvement in Spurs’ pre-season the following summer.

But rather than being utilised in the Premier League, he was sent back out on loan – this time to Championship club Doncaster Rovers – where he made five starts and ten substitute appearances in an injury-hit spell. Doncaster took him back for the following season, but injury struck again and restricted him to just five appearances. He regained fitness and joined Millwall for the end of the season, making four starts and two substitute appearances.

When André Villas-Boas took over at Spurs, much was made of a new focus on youth. Mason came off the bench against Lazio in the Europa League, and then played nearly 70 minutes against Carlisle United in the League Cup. Thereafter, however, fans only saw glimpses.

However, slightly under the radar, Ryan had established himself as one of the integral players for Spurs’ Under-21s, playing consistently well in a central midfield berth in the Under-21 Premier League. Then came the transfer window. Lorient. Ligue Une. Well-connected journalists emphasised that the club wanted Mason to go to a “technical” league (rather than, say, the Championship) which should have, in theory, suited his style perfectly.

What is peculiar, though, is that where Mason was previously recognised for his finishing, his vision, and his subtlety of pass, he’s now praised more widely for his tenacity and aggression

Mason essentially confirmed as much, giving some insight into the move in an interview with the Standard’s Tom Collomosse in February: “Ligue 1 seems similar to the Premier League in its pace and physical style, and you have a whole week to prepare for games. I doubt I’ll be able to go home before the end of the season so I’m out of my comfort zone but, hopefully, I will be able to progress.”

He went on, “I don’t think I’ve made as many appearances for Spurs as I should, or maybe I’ve deserved,” he admitted. “By the age of 21, I definitely expected to have made more than four. The club thought it would be more beneficial for me to move abroad because we thought it might suit my style of play better. When the offer from Lorient came in, I said I wanted the move to happen. Within an hour of landing, I was training.”

Months later, and after being named on the bench just once and playing four minutes for Lorient II, Mason’s frustration were clear from his Twitter timeline alone. A rumour did the rounds that it was in fact Lorient’s chairman that had arranged the transfer – potentially without the manager’s agreement. The use (or lack of use) of Ryan implied that the rumour may have had some substance to it. In April, he returned to White Hart Lane.

Thanks to Tim Sherwood’s long-standing friendship with then Swindon Director – now Chairman – Lee Power, Spurs sent a number of players to Wiltshire, either on loan or on permanent deals. Mason was one of the group, and he made 22 appearances last season, in another year hit partially by injury.

But he returned to Tottenham stronger, fitter, and more eager than ever to break into the first team. The appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as Tottenham Hotspur Head Coach could not have come at a better time for Mason, and on the 2014 pre-season tour of the United States of America, he was able to make an impression.

For a player once so fragile, he has become an athlete. It is easy to see why he is a Pochettino favourite

The preferred attributes of a Pochettino central midfield player are well-documented: mobile, tenacious, intense, and with the ability to pass the ball forward with minimal fuss. Mason ticks all of the boxes. What is peculiar, though, is that where Mason was previously recognised for his finishing, his vision, and his subtlety of pass, he’s now praised more widely for his tenacity and aggression. His passing has, in fact, been a little erratic, and he is yet to bag a Premier League goal in 18 appearances.

He is far from a perfect footballer as it stands, but in an improving Tottenham squad he boasts the most sprints and tackles, the highest percentage of forward passes, as well as the furthest distance run. For a player once so fragile, he has become an athlete. It is easy to see why he is a Pochettino favourite, and one would expect Mason to continue improving under a demanding coach.

Sometimes just being in the right place at the right time is crucial; it looked increasingly like Mason would never make the breakthrough. His perseverance as well as Pochettino’s judgement mean that he is now an established Premier League player, and edging closer to an England call-up.