Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Ryan Mason says that club manager Mauricio Pochettino has played a big role in helping him establish himself in the Spurs first team this term and feels that he is reaping the benefits of the faith entrusted in him by the Argentine.
Mason made his Spurs debut in 2008 under then manager Harry Redknapp, but the lack of faith shown by subsequent managers at White Hart Lane saw the midfielder spend loan spells at several lower league outfits including Yeovil Town, Doncaster Rovers and Millwall amongst others.
But the appointment of Pochettino at the helm of Spurs last summer has led to a revival of the youngster’s career and he has gone on to become a constant presence in the Argentine’s first team.
Mason has made 31 appearances in all competitions so far, and his assured displays in central midfield in tandem with fellow Tottenham academy graduate Nabil Bentaleb have caught the attention of England national team manager Roy Hodgson.
The 23-year-old has been called-up by the 67-year-old for England’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania tonight and their subsequent friendly against Italy on 31st March.
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Giving credit for his progress to Pochettino, Mason said that he is keen to make up for the lost time and is eager to help Tottenham and England achieve success in the future.
“It was unfortunate that I didn’t kick on at a younger age, it took me a bit longer to establish myself”, the midfielder told the FA.
“I had a lot of injuries and perhaps went out on loan at the wrong times. There were times when players were getting opportunities in the UEFA Cup and I was out on loan.
“But now I’ve got a manager who trusts in me and believes in me. He came in from day one and said that.
“To have a manager like that it gives me a great deal of confidence. He’s has given Harry [Kane] his opportunity and he’s grabbed it with both hands.
“Hopefully, for the sake of English football and Tottenham, that can happen a lot more.”
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