‘At the beginning of the season we knew what we had in the squad,’ Mount says when reflecting on his own involvement so far and the team’s current good form. ‘We knew the quality and that the young players would be coming through and trying to make the step up to be big players in the team.



‘We knew we had the quality, so we always set goals of being up near the top of the table. That was always our target. We’re doing very well at the moment, getting that momentum going, and that’s all you can ask for really.



‘It means so much to us young boys to come through and have the belief and support from all the fans.



‘We give all we have to win the games and to be playing well, because we want to win games for the fans. To have them behind us gives us that extra boost in games, to keep going. We all have so much passion for the game and to play for Chelsea. We’ve been through the Academy, we know what it’s like to step up and have that passion throughout and that drive to want to play for the badge.’



Reece James is the latest to be given a first Premier League start when he was drafted in at right-back against Palace, affording a rare rest for Cesar Azpilicueta.



‘The manager is giving us the chance to step up and prove we’re ready,’ said Mount.



‘He’s given the chance to me, Tammy, Fikayo, Reece on Saturday. It’s not that you’re given it, you have to work for it in training and show him that you’re ready to play. When that day comes, you need to show you’re ready and step up.

