England’s Mason Mount ready for battle with Luka Modric

All eyes will be on Wembley today as Gareth Southgate’s men kick off Group D against the side that broke English hearts in the World Cup semi-finals three years ago.

Modric ran the show as Croatia came back to secure that 2-1 extra-time win and the Three Lions will be looking to exact revenge under the arch, where Mount is hoping to get the better of the veteran once more.

The Chelsea midfielder went toe-to-toe with the 35-year-old in the Champions League semi-finals and played a key role in knocking out Real Madrid before going on to win the final against Manchester City.

“He has always been a player that I have looked up to,” Mount said. “Ever since he has been in the Premier League with Tottenham, I have watched him quite closely.

“Playing against him, it was weird because I had watched him so much, I kind of knew his moves and what he was going to do.

“It helps being a fan of a player and then playing against him because you know what he likes to do.

“The experience of playing against him helps because you want to be in these big games and learn how to handle the pressure and big moments.

“Them two games were massive in our run and I gained a lot of experience from them two games.”

Mount did not only play against Modric but took home his shirt, with the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner then requesting his jersey at Stamford Bridge.

“I spoke to (Mateo) Kovacic before the first game and asked if I could get his shirt at a later date,” he said.

“I managed to do that and he asked for mine in the second game because I didn’t actually give him mine in the first.

“Kova said he likes to swap with players so he came up and said he wanted mine, just said good luck in the upcoming games.

“It was brilliant for me obviously to speak to him and he wants my shirt so I was quite overwhelmed, yeah.”

Asked what it felt like knowing Modric wanted his shirt, he smiled and said: “Special. I’ve got it at home along with a couple of others I’ve got over the last couple of months or so. It’s always good to keep those special shirts.”

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