KOBBIE MAINOO proved why he should be on the plane to Euro 2024 with a superb display against Belgium.
It was hard to believe this was the youngster’s first England start as he put in a performance well beyond his years.
Mainoo also showed many of the attributes Gareth Southgate needs for the Euros and what this England team has been looking for.
Declan Rice captained the Three Lions during a stormy night at Wembley and, he along with Jude Bellingham, is one of the first names on the teamsheet.
But since the World Cup Southgate has faced a headache over who should play alongside the pair in midfield.
Jordan Henderson was the favourite in Qatar but his form has dipped and he has even been booed by England fans this season.
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The same can be said of Kalvin Phillips, while Trent Alexander-Arnold is unproven in the number eight role Southgate has been keen to use him in.
Conor Gallagher provides energy and has been one of Chelsea’s better players this season, but he lacks the technical ability of Mainoo.
The Manchester United wonderkid has been praised for his composure on the ball since breaking into the team this season and he looked at home in this, just his second appearance at Wembley.
His first came in the 1-0 defeat to Brazil and against Belgium he showed several reasons why he deserves to start at the Euros – despite playing just 94 minutes for England.
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Pressing
Mainoo provides plenty of energy and his pace and sharpness in the press could prove pivotal for England.
Phil Foden and Jarrod Bowen were constantly on the front foot looking to put the Belgians under pressure and they were well backed up by Mainoo.
One on occasion in the first half the United midfielder showed brilliant anticipation to intercept a pass from goalkeeper Matz Sels and he poked the ball through to Bellingham who somehow blazed over with a chance that was easier to score.
He won the ball back on four occasions against Belgium and won five duels – only Gallagher provides the same pressing intensity as the 18-year-old.
Calmness in possession
He is brilliant at receiving the ball on the half turn and shows coolness even when under pressure from an opponent.
Perhaps most impressive is his ability to wriggle out of tight situations when surrounded by two or more markers, keeping the ball under close control while still being able to find a team-mate with a pass.
Belgium‘s players resorted to hacking Mainoo down on more than one occasion after he tiptoed his way past them in a style reminiscent of Bellingham or Foden.
Despite his youth his decision-making is faultless and he knows when to slow the game down and when to try an ambitious pass to play in a team-mate, as he did for Ivan Toney when the striker won his side a penalty.
He pops up all over the pitch too and performed well against the lively Youri Tielemans, while he almost equalised with a shot that was well saved.
Aston Villa star Tielemans got on the scoresheet twice and he was well supported by Amadou Onana, but Mainoo dominated the Belgium duo and kept England on top second half.
Mainoo completed 42 passes before being taken off in the 75th minute and made 65 touches all over the park, covering both flanks as well as defence and attack.
Strength in transition
Mainoo’s pace and dynamism really comes to the fore during transition and he showed that on multiple occasions against the Red Devils.
Rice had his work cut out protecting a shaky back four and with Bellingham spending a considerable amount of time in the opponent’s final third, it was up to Mainoo to marshall the centre of the pitch.
He did it with ease too, turning quickly when he received the ball to get England from defence to attack in no time at all – often requiring just a couple of touches.
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Mainoo played through Toney in one such example in the second half with the Brentford star seeing a shot well saved, but the move only came about because of Mainoo’s sharpness.
Rice, for all his positive traits, can often be slow on the ball and can be guilty of taking one touch too many, while Henderson and Phillips often look for the safer pass instead of getting the team up the pitch.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
