March 29th 2024.
Gary Neville has been keeping a watchful eye on the young footballer Kobbie Mainoo and has been thoroughly impressed by his skills. In fact, he has gone on to say that Mainoo possesses a talent that even he and his fellow pundit Jamie Carragher did not have. It's quite a statement, considering Neville and Carragher were both successful players in their own right.
Mainoo's debut season for both his club and country has been nothing short of remarkable. He has already played in 14 Premier League matches and even made his first appearance for the England national team during the recent international break. Although he was a last-minute addition to the squad, he made the most of his opportunity and showcased his abilities against top teams like Brazil and Belgium.
Many experts have suggested that Mainoo not only deserves a spot in the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament, but he should also be a starter for the England team. This is a huge deal, as England is hoping to win their first major men's football trophy since 1966. Neville has praised Mainoo for his incredible awareness and positioning on the field, despite his young age and lack of experience. He even compared his tackling skills to those of former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves.
During an interview, Neville shared his thoughts on Mainoo's playing style, saying, "We often ask ourselves if he is a holding midfielder, and the answer is both yes and no. When he is defending in his own box, his positioning is fantastic. He has an amazing awareness of danger and can even block pull-backs from opponents. It's quite impressive for such a young player."
Neville also pointed out a moment during a recent match where Mainoo showed his quick reflexes and tackled the ball away from an opponent, just like Hargreaves used to do for Manchester United. "If Jamie and I were playing against an attacker like Doku, once he passed us, we wouldn't be able to catch up to him. We would have to drop back and defend, but Mainoo would go for the ball and take it away. Not many players have that kind of confidence and ability," he explained.
Mainoo's performance has also caught the attention of England's head coach Gareth Southgate, who has been impressed by how quickly he has adapted to the senior team. Southgate is even considering including Mainoo in the squad for the upcoming Euros. "His skills are evident for everyone to see. He can receive the ball even under pressure, ride challenges, and manipulate the ball in tight areas. He brings a different dynamic to our midfield and we are thrilled with his progress. It's hard to believe he is so young, as he has handled everything with ease," Southgate praised.
Mainoo is expected to return to the field this weekend when Manchester United takes on Brentford in the Premier League. He has already made a name for himself in the football world, and with such high praise from Neville and Southgate, it's clear that Mainoo has a bright future ahead of him.
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