By We thought England had only one generational talent, but Kobbie Mainoo is proving otherwise. Initially brought to Germany for experience, Mainoo has quickly become the driving force behind England’s historic Euro 2024 campaign.
After just five senior starts, Mainoo is set for a showdown against Spain’s Lamine Yamal in the Euro 2024 final. Last night, he became England’s youngest player to feature in a semi-final of a major tournament at 19 years and 82 days. He took control of the game, delivering a remarkable performance, especially in the first half, propelling England to their first final on foreign soil.
While Jude Bellingham seemed poised to be England’s main star for the next decade, Mainoo has rapidly emerged as a formidable talent. Winning an FA Cup at 19 was impressive; clinching Euro 2024 would be extraordinary.
Mainoo has seamlessly integrated into the team, providing a perfect blend of style and substance, much like he did with Manchester United. His potential is immense, and in a few years, his talent will undoubtedly be even more remarkable.
Throughout the tournament, attention focused on the underwhelming performances of Harry Kane, Bellingham, and Phil Foden. As a result, Mainoo had been somewhat overlooked. However, against the Dutch, he showcased his class in tight, congested spaces. Under pressure, he remained composed, navigating difficult situations and driving forward.
Despite the high stakes, Mainoo was England’s standout player in the first half. He won possession, evaded tackles, and advanced the play like a seasoned professional. He nearly provided an assist at 1-1 with brilliant play, linking up with Foden, though the shot was cleared off the line by Denzel Dumfries. He also delivered a crucial block during a rapid Dutch counterattack.
In the second half, Mainoo had less space in midfield but maintained his energy and positional discipline, allowing substitutes Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins to shine.
Mainoo’s rapid rise is astounding. He only made his United debut in the Carabao Cup against Charlton in January 2023, with his first Premier League start just eight months ago. His dazzling midfield form at United earned him his first England cap as a substitute against Brazil in March, followed by a Man of the Match performance in a 2-2 draw with Belgium.
Though his form dipped towards the season’s end, likely due to fatigue, he delivered a Man of the Match performance in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, securing a 2-1 victory.
Initially, Mainoo was part of England’s 26-man squad to gain experience and perhaps make a few cameo appearances. He was effectively Southgate’s third choice to partner Declan Rice in Germany. The Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment failed in the opening games against Serbia and Denmark, and Conor Gallagher struggled in his start against Slovenia. Apart from a strong substitute appearance by Palmer, Mainoo’s performance against Slovakia was a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster and fortunate win in the last 16.
Concerns about Mainoo’s movement without possession will improve with experience, as with any young midfielder. Yet, he has solved a key issue for Southgate, allowing England to dream big. Considering their earlier group stage struggles in Germany, England’s progress is remarkable.
In Sunday’s final, England’s experienced players can draw on the lessons from the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020. For Mainoo, it will be a new experience, but he is expected to thrive under pressure and embrace the challenge.
