Manchester United’s young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has been named as the latest addition to England’s training camp prior to the international break. The 18-year old will be preparing for two scheduled agendas, against Brazil and Belgium for the next seven days.
After being told that he would be on at least the bench when England host Brazil and Belgium this week, Mainoo was thrilled. The youngster then shared the details regarding how he got to know about his first senior call-up.
A text that changed Kobbie Mainoo’s journey with England
“It’s a bit different,” Mainoo said on England’s official X account. “I mean, I got called up to the Under-21s and then got a text from Steve Holland [England’s assistant manager].
“He told me to come and meet him in the reception [at St George’s Park] and he just told me that I’ve been called up and that I’m going to be with the squad for the week. I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet, but yes, I’m excited.”
England manager Gareth Southgate said that calling Mainoo to the senior team was a bit tricky. The former Middlesbrough manager admitted Mainoo’s quality. However, he admitted that he was also cautious with his decision.
“I think he’s doing brilliantly for a young player, and we’re never slow to put a young player into the seniors,” Southgate said according to England’s official website. “But he’s only had a handful of games and you must be very careful, development-wise, in making those decisions at the right time. So we think ideally we should allow him that space to develop at his own speed.
Gareth Southgate compares Mainoo with other England’s young prospects
Southgate then draws the situation as when for the first time another England prospects Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka were called to the senior team. In other sense, he is confident about Mainoo’s future.
“He is not at the point in terms of number of games that Jude Bellingham or Bukayo Saka were at when they came in for the first time, but I repeat, he’s doing really well for a young player. He’s a good footballer, you can see that, and he’s getting some fabulous experience with Manchester United at the moment and looks a really good character.”
Maino is actually also eligible to play for Ghana, where his parents are coming from. But he has been playing for England since the age group from U17 all the way to U21.