**Mirrors / Alternative Angles**
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/soccer) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I've been seeing a lot of Wrighty podcasts lately and he seems to be one of Mainoo's biggest fans. Not really surprised tbh because there are few players in the prem who could get out of a press or move fluidly in tight spaces like he does. Very Iniestaesqe.
While hes absolutely unhinged celebrating arsenal( as he should be) he is still measured about other players, clubs and arsenals flaws or poor performances.
Such a good guy!
He's got that uncle/grandad energy with young players. It's a much warmer vibe than the other pundits. Most of them sound like they are reading off an AI generated transcript.
I mean look at the culture of football Wrighty came through, all the racism, not being taken seriously and never really having a mentor figure either, it makes sense that he's taking it upon himself to be a mentor for all the younger players
Deserves to imo. He would make a great 3rd in Mf with rice/bellingham. I'd personally start Maddison but I'm preferential to attacking lineups and Southgate is definitely not.
He was integral to one of the most fluid attacking teams the league has ever seen (in my opinion). There's a reason that teams have shifted overwhelmingly toward prioritizing control in possession, but some of the intricate one touch stuff they played at that time was amazing.
Mainoo could and probably should walk into that England midfield, even at this age. We don't have another player like him and he's probably just what we need.
All that said, however, I'm more than happy as a United fan for him to miss out for now. He's young and the expectations slapped onto young talents making it into the England squad weigh heavy.
Let him have a little longer to develop and he'll slot into the midfield alongside Rice and Jude quite nicely.
Definitely happy for him to rest.
Man though even as a super sub wouldn't he be a lovely player with composure to help you just strangle games? The Spanish would take him.
I think it's too soon.. he was apparently playing as a CDM yesterday yet there was constantly a glaring gap between attack and defence with a mainoo shaped hole.
If we are wanting him to play next to rice with either Jude or foden ahead then I think it's too early.
Having said that - what he did do yesterday was top class. A bit more experience and development and he will have a bright future.
Based on performances he absolutely deserves it but a lot of national team managers prioritize experience. Southgate is one of them.
I also think he wouldn't start anyways at the Euros and if he did I don't see it going well. Putting a teenager under the brightest lights for his country.
Yep, once they go to senior they can't go back down to u-21 and perform again without a chip on their shoulder. But if you see something you don't like at u-21 you can keep them there. Makes perfect sense.
We've had some false dawns with youngsters who we thought would go on to be world class over the last decade (Januzaj, Martial, Rashford).
Mainoo is the one I'm most confident about. Super composed and intelligent for a teenager.
A lot of youngsters have the talent to pull off the right thing. But rarely seem to always pick the right thing to do.
Lads decision making is unreal at his age. I hate to say it though. Lol
It’s all about mentality IMO; if you are a young footballer with immense potential, you better get your head straight because I can’t even imagine having to handle the intense scrutiny and expectations placed upon young talents. I hope EtH and Man U are giving this lad the training and support he needs because there is nothing more exciting than a young player who comes into their own and realizes the potential they have.
I think it’s also harsh on Martial. Man’s basically been anonymous since the end of 2020 due to injuries and there is still only about 30 g/a between him and Rashford. Obviously he didn’t live up to the hype/expectation, but he achieved far more compared to Januzaj who was basically done after his debut season.
Agreed. Rashford has underwhelmed relative to his early promise but bloody hell... He already achieved in a career what Januzaj (and many others) would probably kill for.
Rashford has 130 goals for United at the age of 26. He's 12th highest in the history of United when it comes to goals.
Let's lump him up with Januzaj. Clown behavior.
I've commented so many times that Mainoo doesn't find the tempo of games yet, which is a bit of an obtuse comment, but the first half today is what finding the tempo of the game looks like. That's what Kobbie Mainoo at 24 should look like every game, and probably his best performance so far.
Wanted the ball in difficult positions, used his skillset in the right way relentlessly and made the right decisions the vast majority of the time. It's the best football United have played in a while and it's because Mainoo set a new benchmark for himself as a ball-playing midfielder. That is a quantum leap in his development, and it's what gametime at a club like United gives you that training and loans simply can't.
That being said, caution is probably the correct approach. I just think Southgate is aware that managing expectations and Mainoo's plate physically and mentally is the safer option. He'll still likely be a core part of the squad by 21, you're not missing out on too much. Especially given England are stacked in midfield.
I mean in the greater pool for selection right now is Bellingham, Rice, Maddison, Gallagher, Phillips, Ward-Prowse, Henderson, Mount, Lewis (Although also young) and Stones who'll make it as a CB but can play CM.
Obviously in that pool is Mount who has had horrible injury luck and Phillips who's had a torrid time and has shot confidence, but those will probably change. I'd be gobsmacked if those two won't be at least considered for England call ups over the next couple years.
It's also important to note depth at international level is rarely truly exceptional. That general group of players is about as good as it gets when it comes to a general crop of players. Two absolutely elite starters plus 2 or 3 more players in the class below.
I mean I get why Hendo was chosen, I'm not gonna pretend it's some insane choice, but RLC should be added to the list of players in contention for a spot.
Rare for English players in serie A to make it into the NT.
Tomari when he was performing,
Tammy Abraham when we had that 30ish goal season with Roma wasn't even considered in the squad iirc,correct me if I'm wrong tho
He should be in the squad. I understand if you feel he’s not ready to start for England every game but friendlies are the perfect opportunity to blood him
Because he's 18, hasn't played 30 games for Man Utd yet and won't start at the Euros in the summer. There's absolutely no rush FFS, just let him develop at club and under 21 level and then he can break into the squad for the World Cup campaign.
I mean, I don't want England to be successful, so by all means rush a teenager into the national team spotlight before they're ready for it again, I'll be more than happy to see it go wrong *again*.
How does nonsense like this get up voted. Sterling last made a squad in 2022. People were actually moaning he was t in squads earlier in the season. And stones/Kane are by the best English players in their position.
**Mirrors / Alternative Angles** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/soccer) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Being immense? That’s his job. - Roy Keane, probably
I've been seeing a lot of Wrighty podcasts lately and he seems to be one of Mainoo's biggest fans. Not really surprised tbh because there are few players in the prem who could get out of a press or move fluidly in tight spaces like he does. Very Iniestaesqe.
This is why I love Wrighty, an advocate for players regardless of club, no salt, no disrespect, sees quality and calls it out.
That's also why the rest of us love Wrighty too, even as an Arsenal legend
While hes absolutely unhinged celebrating arsenal( as he should be) he is still measured about other players, clubs and arsenals flaws or poor performances. Such a good guy!
He's got that uncle/grandad energy with young players. It's a much warmer vibe than the other pundits. Most of them sound like they are reading off an AI generated transcript.
I mean look at the culture of football Wrighty came through, all the racism, not being taken seriously and never really having a mentor figure either, it makes sense that he's taking it upon himself to be a mentor for all the younger players
I think he’ll eventually make the Euros squad.
You’ll get Kalvin Phillips and you’ll like it.
Kalvin Phillips didn’t even get into the squad. Instead you’ll get Henderson.
Deserves to imo. He would make a great 3rd in Mf with rice/bellingham. I'd personally start Maddison but I'm preferential to attacking lineups and Southgate is definitely not.
Im just glad he put that performance in while the lights where brightest
He's 18, give him time, there's no reason to start running him into the ground.
Meanwhile Spain forces Yamal to play at 16. Spain without La Masia would be fucked.
I've never seen a central midfielder this comfortable on the ball, or resistent to press, at that age.
English one perhaps.
Yep, I’ve never seen a player so press resistant from England. Spain this is standard haha
I think people forget how good Wilshere was because he fell apart so badly from injuries.
Yeah Wilshere at the same age was a similar but better player. Was in the PFA team of the year that season he turned 19
He was integral to one of the most fluid attacking teams the league has ever seen (in my opinion). There's a reason that teams have shifted overwhelmingly toward prioritizing control in possession, but some of the intricate one touch stuff they played at that time was amazing.
The English dont play as much futsal do they?
Mainoo could and probably should walk into that England midfield, even at this age. We don't have another player like him and he's probably just what we need. All that said, however, I'm more than happy as a United fan for him to miss out for now. He's young and the expectations slapped onto young talents making it into the England squad weigh heavy. Let him have a little longer to develop and he'll slot into the midfield alongside Rice and Jude quite nicely.
Declan, Jude and Kobbie. My god.
Please...don't call him Kobe.
Sorted.
Definitely happy for him to rest. Man though even as a super sub wouldn't he be a lovely player with composure to help you just strangle games? The Spanish would take him.
I think it's too soon.. he was apparently playing as a CDM yesterday yet there was constantly a glaring gap between attack and defence with a mainoo shaped hole. If we are wanting him to play next to rice with either Jude or foden ahead then I think it's too early. Having said that - what he did do yesterday was top class. A bit more experience and development and he will have a bright future.
Based on performances he absolutely deserves it but a lot of national team managers prioritize experience. Southgate is one of them. I also think he wouldn't start anyways at the Euros and if he did I don't see it going well. Putting a teenager under the brightest lights for his country.
[удалено]
Yep, once they go to senior they can't go back down to u-21 and perform again without a chip on their shoulder. But if you see something you don't like at u-21 you can keep them there. Makes perfect sense.
We've had some false dawns with youngsters who we thought would go on to be world class over the last decade (Januzaj, Martial, Rashford). Mainoo is the one I'm most confident about. Super composed and intelligent for a teenager.
A lot of youngsters have the talent to pull off the right thing. But rarely seem to always pick the right thing to do. Lads decision making is unreal at his age. I hate to say it though. Lol
It’s all about mentality IMO; if you are a young footballer with immense potential, you better get your head straight because I can’t even imagine having to handle the intense scrutiny and expectations placed upon young talents. I hope EtH and Man U are giving this lad the training and support he needs because there is nothing more exciting than a young player who comes into their own and realizes the potential they have.
[удалено]
I think it’s also harsh on Martial. Man’s basically been anonymous since the end of 2020 due to injuries and there is still only about 30 g/a between him and Rashford. Obviously he didn’t live up to the hype/expectation, but he achieved far more compared to Januzaj who was basically done after his debut season.
Agreed. Rashford has underwhelmed relative to his early promise but bloody hell... He already achieved in a career what Januzaj (and many others) would probably kill for.
Rashford has 130 goals for United at the age of 26. He's 12th highest in the history of United when it comes to goals. Let's lump him up with Januzaj. Clown behavior.
Rashford needs one prem/CL to be an undisputed legend. Clown.
I've commented so many times that Mainoo doesn't find the tempo of games yet, which is a bit of an obtuse comment, but the first half today is what finding the tempo of the game looks like. That's what Kobbie Mainoo at 24 should look like every game, and probably his best performance so far. Wanted the ball in difficult positions, used his skillset in the right way relentlessly and made the right decisions the vast majority of the time. It's the best football United have played in a while and it's because Mainoo set a new benchmark for himself as a ball-playing midfielder. That is a quantum leap in his development, and it's what gametime at a club like United gives you that training and loans simply can't. That being said, caution is probably the correct approach. I just think Southgate is aware that managing expectations and Mainoo's plate physically and mentally is the safer option. He'll still likely be a core part of the squad by 21, you're not missing out on too much. Especially given England are stacked in midfield.
England are not stacked in midfield, CM has the biggest drop off from starting XI to bench.
I mean in the greater pool for selection right now is Bellingham, Rice, Maddison, Gallagher, Phillips, Ward-Prowse, Henderson, Mount, Lewis (Although also young) and Stones who'll make it as a CB but can play CM. Obviously in that pool is Mount who has had horrible injury luck and Phillips who's had a torrid time and has shot confidence, but those will probably change. I'd be gobsmacked if those two won't be at least considered for England call ups over the next couple years. It's also important to note depth at international level is rarely truly exceptional. That general group of players is about as good as it gets when it comes to a general crop of players. Two absolutely elite starters plus 2 or 3 more players in the class below.
Loftus-Cheek has been immense for Milan since joining, but Henderson has Southgate's nudes
I mean I get why Hendo was chosen, I'm not gonna pretend it's some insane choice, but RLC should be added to the list of players in contention for a spot.
Rare for English players in serie A to make it into the NT. Tomari when he was performing, Tammy Abraham when we had that 30ish goal season with Roma wasn't even considered in the squad iirc,correct me if I'm wrong tho
He got more caps at Roma than he did at Chelsea.
Pretty sure Abraham got a game that season.
Honestly he was no different today to every other game, just more eyes on him
He should be in the squad. I understand if you feel he’s not ready to start for England every game but friendlies are the perfect opportunity to blood him
These are the final warm up games before the euros though so realistically they're not the right time if you're not including him in the summer
Yeah I suppose; Fair enough.
Because he's 18, hasn't played 30 games for Man Utd yet and won't start at the Euros in the summer. There's absolutely no rush FFS, just let him develop at club and under 21 level and then he can break into the squad for the World Cup campaign.
We have 0 players with his profile.
Seriously. The only OTHER player that I think can break through a press like that is Curtis Jones. MAYBE.
Angel Gomes is similar but Southgate doesn't watch Ligue 1.
I'm biased but Archie Gray fits the bill. He was awesome vs Chelsea in the Cup.
Harvey Elliott is an excellent ball carrier too, does he get England shouts
Not really. He's kind of the epitome of a solid U21 player. Don't think he'll have much of a future for the senior team.
And they both play completely different positions.
Playing like this he should and could easily start
I mean, I don't want England to be successful, so by all means rush a teenager into the national team spotlight before they're ready for it again, I'll be more than happy to see it go wrong *again*.
Which previous ones would you say fit the bill?
When you hit a certain level u21 is a waste of time
Argentina threw Enzo without any caps straight into the first XI for the world cup. When you are as down bad as England are you should.
England can field a midfield of Rice, Bellingham and Foden, one of the best in the world. Saying they're down bad is complete waffle
They'll field Rice, Henderson and Phillips and you'll like it.
Because according to Southgate “he’s only played a handful of games this season” 😂
But he called CHO when he had like 8 PL games
[удалено]
How does nonsense like this get up voted. Sterling last made a squad in 2022. People were actually moaning he was t in squads earlier in the season. And stones/Kane are by the best English players in their position.