Chelsea midfielder Connor Gallagher is drawing inspiration from Mason Mount.

On-loan with Charlton Athletic, Gallagher has already made 21 Championship starts and is making the same sort of impact Mount and Fikayo Tomori had at Derby and Tammy Abraham at Aston Villa in the second tier last season.

Fellow midfield ace Mount, 20, a great friend of Gallagher, is serving as an inspiration.

Since his year with the Rams, Mount has racked up 26 first-team appearances for Chelsea and won six England caps.

Gallagher told The Sun: “That's what has given me the amount of belief I have. If I carry on doing well, there is a good chance I can carry on next season playing for Chelsea.

“That isn't going to be easy but I've got to keep doing what I'm doing this season and see what they say. When Derby were on TV last season, I'd always watch them.

“Mason, who is a mate of mine as well, plays in a similar position to me, so I've watched him a lot.

“It's nice to see he's doing well and someone I can look up to."

Gallagher has known Mount since he was eight.

And he added: “We have come through the academy system and shared so many experiences.

“We used to go abroad for tournaments. I remember our first one was in Holland when we were just nine or ten and we won it.

“In one of the finals, I was playing with Mason and Declan Rice in midfield. It's crazy to think that both of them are playing for England.

“Hopefully one day I can join them."