Gareth Southgate is ready to call upon the 19-year-old to replace Conor Gallagher as Declan Rice’s midfielder partner after an impressive second-half cameo in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Slovenia.
If Mainoo does start it will be England’s third different midfield combination in their four Euro 2024 games.
The Manchester United starlet only made his England debut after coming on to replace Gallagher in the 1-0 friendly defeat to Brazil in March.
Mainoo was a bright spark in what was a dismal goalless draw against Slovenia as England struggled to deal with their opponents’ low block and create many clear-cut chances.
However, Mainoo was in the thick of one of the best opportunities at the end of the match as he beautifully teed up fellow substitute Cole Palmer for a chance, but the Chelsea star was unable to beat Jan Oblak with a low drive.
And Mainoo’s performance was enough to get the nod to start England’s next outing, according to Three Lions legend Stuart Pearce.
“I think Kobbie Mainoo will play after what he did. I think he’ll be thinking about playing,” Pearce told talkSPORT.
“I don’t know whether Southgate’s going to play Saka or Cole Palmer because Palmer was outstanding when he came on.
I think these are only good situations for him… he’s just got to get the blend right.”
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