Chelsea ace Mason Mount was determined to keep his place this season amid a summer spending spree.
The 22-year-old was a favourite under former manager Frank Lampard and it is proving to be the same under new man Thomas Tuchel, outperforming new arrivals Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz.
Mount's father Tony has revealed the academy graduate was always confident he would continue to be one of Chelsea's main men.
"He saw the players coming in as a massive challenge," Tony told talkSPORT. "People were saying he would lose his place and he was aware of that.
"Mason's attitude was brilliant. He thought Chelsea were bringing quality into the club and he's desperate to win things.
"He didn't look at that as anything other than good for the club, good for the team, and a challenge for him.
"I remember talking to him about it and he said, 'They won't take my place, I'll raise my game'."
