Former Manchester United player and football pundit, Gary Neville, has voiced his belief that Kobbie Mainoo should be included in the starting lineup for England's Euro 2024 last-16 tie on Sunday. This comes after a series of performances by the Three Lions that have left fans and critics alike questioning their midfield balance.
England's final game in Group C against Slovenia ended with a goalless draw. Despite the lackluster performance, this result was sufficient to secure Gareth Southgate’s team as group leaders. Consequently, they will face either Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine or Belgium in their first knockout stage match on Sunday at 5pm.
The stalemate with Slovenia highlighted similar issues that have been troubling England throughout the tournament - primarily a lack of balance within their midfield.
Midfield struggles with Alexander-Arnold and Gallagher
Trent Alexander-Arnold lost his place for the match against Slovenia. His replacement Conor Gallagher struggled to make an impact during his time on the pitch and was substituted at half-time by Mainoo.
Gallagher’s inability to influence proceedings during his 45-minute stint further emphasized England’s ongoing midfield problems. The need for a solution is becoming increasingly urgent as they progress into more challenging Euro 2024 matches.
The rise of Kobbie Mainoo
Mainoo's entry into play brought about an immediate improvement to England’s cohesion within midfield. The Manchester United player demonstrated impressive skill and control which significantly boosted team dynamics during gameplay.
Gary Neville is convinced that Mainoo's performance warrants him a starting position in the upcoming last-16 tie this weekend. At just 19 years old, he has shown remarkable potential which could be instrumental for England moving forward in this tournament.
Gary Neville, ITV football pundit, said:
‘I’m certain Mainoo will start in the next game, he thought Gallagher may be the option, obviously, for the energy we talked about before the game.
‘But I think it was quite obvious that we need someone in there who would get us playing and Mainoo does that. I think Wharton is capable of that as well. I think the more substitutes we made the less rigid we looked.
‘We looked so basic in the first half, it was a struggle to watch that, it moved forward a lot in the second half, we didn’t get the result but there were sort of glimpses of what it can be.’
Southgate also acknowledged the impact Mainoo and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer had during the second half of the game. Their contributions could be key in addressing England's midfield issues.
As England prepares for their last-16 tie, all eyes will be on Southgate's team selection. The inclusion of Kobbie Mainoo in the starting lineup could potentially provide a much-needed balance to their midfield. With endorsements from figures like Gary Neville, it will be interesting to see how Southgate responds and whether this young talent gets his chance to shine on such a significant stage.
