- Gareth Southgate promoted a midfielder from the Under-21s
- He might play his first game against Belgium or Brazil
For the friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United has been elevated to the senior England squad. After being selected for the Under-21 team, the 18-year-old midfielder joined Gareth Southgate’s senior squad on Tuesday.
After suffering a pre-season injury that delayed his season debut, Mainoo, a former Under-17 and Under-19 international, has made an outstanding comeback, making 20 appearances.
In an attempt to secure a spot in the team for the summer’s Euro 2024, he reported for duty at St. George’s Park among 25 other players.
He stated:
I received a text from [England assistant manager] Steve Holland instructing me to come and meet him at reception while I was with the Under-21s. I was called up, and he just informed me. Though I don’t think it’s fully clicked yet, I’m thrilled! Everyone in my family is enthused.
Mainoo was born in Stockport and is eligible to play for Ghana. Since making his Premier League debut this season, November’s 3-0 victory against Everton, he has received praise from supporters, teammates, and analysts alike.
One of Erik Ten Hag’s most pressing issues has been resolved by his emergence as a starting midfielder, pushing considerably more seasoned players to the sidelines. Erik made the following remark about Kobbie:
Kobbie is playing well, and the midfield as a whole is playing well.
Mainoo will be hoping to make his debut on Saturday against Brazil or Tuesday against Belgium. With his call-up, the teenager becomes a late contender for a spot in Southgate’s midfield, where there are still a lot of unanswered questions.
Jordan Henderson left Saudi Arabian football to join Ajax in January with the goal of keeping his England spot, while Conor Gallagher of Chelsea is also making a move with a strong club form.
