It was only eight years ago when a delighted 17-year-old, Ryan Mason, signed a professional contract with Spurs in 2008. For his age and his beginnings, the youngster from Enfield Town saw a bright a future ahead.
Article by Steven Benton
In 1999 he arrived in North London when he was just eight years old. He worked his way up through the youth system and started his professional career with an unbelievable campaign in the Academy, scoring 29 goals in 31 appearances.
Mason is now 25 years old and is an active rotating midfielder in Tottenham’s squad. With his commitment in the youth system and his patience for the first team, Mason believes his chance to become an important first team player is now. However, starters Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele, and the new arrival from Southampton, Victor Wanyama, are also competing for a starting spot on the team and being favored by the manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Tottenham are a few hours away from starting their pre-season. Mason and Wanyama made the flight to Melbourne, Australia where Tottenham will face the Italian champions Juventus on Tuesday and Atletico Madrid on Friday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Dembele and Dier are on an extended break after their perspective European campaign. Along with Wanyama, Mason, Tom Carroll, and a few development squad players will all have their chance to impress Pochettino this week. Pochettino will be keeping a close eye on Carroll, Mason, and Wanyama to see if they are capable of being in the starting squad come the start of the Premier League season.
Mason has been linked with a move to Hull City before the start of the PL campaign. The Tigers manager, Steve Bruce, says he is interested in picking up the midfielder if Spurs agree to let him go. However, Mason says he will continue to fight for his position in Tottenham’s lineup, warning Dembele and Dier that a place in Pochettino’s starting IX is earned. “I’m a professional footballer, I want to be playing every single game,” Mason said.
The 2015-2016 season saw Mason hit some roadblocks. He was injured during an early September fixture against Sunderland. When he returned, the combination of Dembele and Dier in the midfield was proven to be an elite Premier League force, making it hard for Mason to break back into the rotation. Mason was then moved to Pochettino’s Europa League squad. Still with a lot to prove, Mason signed a new contract with Tottenham in January.
During the 2014-2015 campaign, Mason was a regular starter along with Nabil Bentaleb. The duo combined for over 25 starts in the Premier League. Pochettino’s method is about training your way into the team, which saw plans change for both midfielders. Considering Bentaleb did not make the flight to Melbourne, it is safe to say that his career as a Lilywhite has come to an end. This week marks the opportunity for Mason to fall back into favor with Pochettino. “It's a clean slate in preseason when I go back and hopefully I can work my way into a place.”
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No wonder the club tailed off at the end of the season if Poch is only picking 9 players in his starting IX!
ReplyDeleteCant believe we're not letting Mason go!? He is simply not good enough. He wouldnt get in the first team of any of at least the top 10 PL teams so why the hell are we keeping him???
ReplyDelete