Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount has paid tribute to his former Academy coaches after being named the club's Player of the Year.
Mount also says the loan system was a benefit to him.
"Without the Academy, I wouldn't be sitting here now so for me to win this Player of the Year award, I give it to them. It's down to them that I've got here. It's been a crazy journey and they've lived with me through it," he told the club's website.
"I owe a lot to them, to the coaches that I've worked under. I can't name them all but they know who they are. At every single age group that I've been through, including two years on the loan programme, the coaches have given me something and added to my game.
"All the staff have helped make me the player and person I am now, especially Neil Bath and Jim Fraser [head and assistant of youth development]. They've played a massive, massive part in my career, to start me off and give me the faith from a young age to keep performing and keep getting better, every single year. It's been a crazy journey and hopefully long may it continue."
Mount also touches on the down times this season, including the sacking of Frank Lampard.
"Of course, Frank leaving was a tough period, not just for me but the club as well. You're still in the middle of a season so you really have to try and move on but it's tough to do. The new manager came in quickly so you just have to stay positive and really look forward to the next games.
"Losing the FA Cup final also took a big toll on me and affected me quite a lot, to have that experience again of losing in a final. I felt we were in a very good position and it's a trophy I've always wanted to win after winning two FA Youth Cups so that was a horrible feeling.
"You never want that feeling again but football is always up and down and as a footballer you learn about how to deal with those moments."
