Ian Wright has hit out at the treatment of Mason Mount over his battle with Jack Grealish for an England starting spot.
The Chelsea midfielder has had the edge over his Aston Villa rival for a place in Gareth Southgate's England side in recent times, leading to some ire from Villa fans.
Southgate was even quick to reference the memes Villa fans have made over Southgate's high opinion of Mount when talking about the duo ahead of Thursday's friendly against Ireland.
Yet the duo were both named in the starting XI for the friendly and, speaking on ITV pre-match, former England striker Wright said there was no reason why they cannot play together.
Wright also hit out at the way some fans had presented it as an either/or situation.
He said: “It’s disgraceful, the way people have talked about Mason Mount getting his berth in front of whoever.
“Mason Mount is in there on credit and what he’s able to do and it’s unfair the amount of stick he gets for being chosen by Gareth.”
Blues legend Ashley Cole agreed with Wright.
The former left-back argued that Mount brings a high work ethic to both England and Chelsea's sides and said it is unfair to compare the midfielder with Grealish.
He said: “You can’t compare them. I think the quality that Mason brings to not just this England team, but the Chelsea team, he brings the energy, the willingness to run and to graft.
“ I’ve heard Roy Keane mention it a lot about the work ethic and desire, it’s a must and it’s a standard. He brings that week-in, week-out. But I think it’s unfair to compare them.”
