Graham Ruthven: Kobbie Mainoo deserves more than a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad – he should start

AMID the chaos of Manchester United’s 4-3 FA Cup victory over Liverpool, Kobbie Mainoo found a way to stay calm. The 18-year-old played with composure well beyond his years. He gave United a foothold in the centre of the pitch and a platform for Erik ten Hag’s team to pull off their most significant win of the season so far.

Mainoo is a generational talent. He’s the central midfielder Manchester United have needed for years with the teenager already a central pillar at Old Trafford. Mainoo has handled everything that has been thrown at him during his breakthrough season and there’s no reason to believe he wouldn’t thrive at Euro 2024.

Many expected Mainoo to be named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium. Instead, he was handed a call-up to the Under 21 squad, potentially hinting at Southgate’s inclination to leave Mainoo at home for this summer’s European Championships in Germany.

“I think that he’s doing brilliantly for a young player and we’re never slow to put a young player into seniors,” Southgate said when asked about his decision to overlook Mainoo. “But he’s only had a handful of games and you have to be very careful development-wise in making those decisions at the right time. So we think ideally, we should allow him that space to develop at his own speed.”

 

Southgate’s stance is an admirable one. Countless young players in the past have been fast-tracked in a way that ultimately wasn’t good for their development. Mainoo, however, isn’t like most young players. At 18, he doesn’t just deserve a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad, he should be starting at the tournament. That’s how good he is.

There is a place for Mainoo in Southgate’s lineup. The England boss has long favoured a conservative pairing at the base of his midfield. At Euro 2020, it was Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice who were partnered together with Jordan Henderson favoured alongside the latter at the 2022 World Cup.

Henderson, however, is now into the twilight of his career and playing in the Eredivisie for Ajax after an ill-advised spell in Saudi Arabia. Phillips, meanwhile, is enduring a nightmare loan period at West Ham having been frozen out of the picture at Manchester City. Nether should be anywhere near the England squad for this summer’s Euros.

Jude Bellingham could operate at the base of the midfield unit, but he is most effective when he has the freedom to get forward and make an impact in the final third. England must build around the Real Madrid superstar and the inclusion of Mainoo in the team would allow Southgate to remould.

As a number six, Mainoo has all the attributes to reach the elite level. He is extremely press resistant and can control possession in tight areas, as he demonstrated against Liverpool on Sunday numerous times. He has a low centre of gravity and has the mobility to cover a lot of ground. Mainoo is the perfect two-way midfielder and a better option at this point than either Henderson or Phillips.

England could use all of these qualities. Southgate will have arguably more attacking talent at his disposal than any other manager at Euro 2024, but he must make sure the structure is in place to support that talent. Players like Bellingham, Harry Kane and Phil Foden are the ones who can win the Euros for the Three Lions. Mainoo, however, could help them do this. Southgate should have used this current international window to integrate him.

 

 

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