England manager Gareth Southgate has been impressed by the performances of teenage midfielder Kobbie Mainoo every time he’s come on and admitted his side have never had a player like him before after Wednesday’s 2-1 win over the Netherlands to book a place in the Euro 2024 final.
Mainoo, 19, was on his eighth cap for his country before being substituted after Ollie Watkins’ 90+1 minute winner to send the Three Lions through to the final against Spain.
“Kobbie has been impressive every game, especially when you consider his age. The fact we’ve never had a player like him before,” Southgate told the Manchester United youngster after the game.
“It makes a difference when your midfielders can handle the press, turn the ball forward with ease and grace. What Kobbie does may look simple but it’s not. “
He, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham all move really well into spaces. That causes problems and makes opponents adapt without the ball. Foden had one of his best games in an England shirt. He’s had a major impact on this game.”
Southgate admitted in the group stage that he struggled to replace Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips but appears to have found a solution now. Speaking after the game at Signal Iduna Park, Mainoo said: “I
can’t explain the feeling. It happened so fast but I just take it game by game ทางเข้า ufabet and now we’re in the Euro final. “
We’ve come a long way and built on each game to get here. I feel we can only get better. It’s time to put our name in the history books. “In the
first half we linked really well – myself, Foden, Rice and Jude – and we controlled the middle of the pitch but in the second half I felt we had to be patient. “
It was a very difficult game but the whole team helped each other. Of course the players we came on, Palmer and Watkins, made an impact. They finished the game really well.”