It’s been an incredible 2024 for Kobbie Mainoo so far and it looks destined to get even better.
Manchester United prodigy Kobbie Mainoo has burst onto the scene and immediately blown people away with his performances in the middle of the park.
Erik ten Hag had been eager to get him into the fold much earlier but injuries halted his progress. Mainoo might have become a star even sooner but he is making up for lost time.
If he wasn’t already a household name, he certainly is following his dazzling bow on the international stage this past week.
Mainoo was initially left out of the squad but Gareth Southgate soon changed his mind after seeing his display in the FA Cup triumph over Liverpool.
The 18-year-old was promoted from the Under-21s without anyone dropping out through injury and earned his first England cap against Brazil.
Mainoo was then handed his first start against Belgium and put in a confident display that won him the Player of the Match award.
Such an impact must have already earned his spot in the squad for Euro 2024 but his chances could be about to get even better.
Potential Euro 2024 rule change being considered
Speaking after the Belgium match, Southgate revealed national team managers were hopeful of the squad sizes for the tournament being increased from 23 to 26.
The Three Lions boss said, via theDaily Mail, on the chance of the rule being changed: “It seems to be.
“There is one more UEFA meeting (in a fortnight) where there’s been a little bit of talk amongst some of the coaches about possibly increasing that. Given where we are now.
“We’ve got to make the best decisions with what we know and some of those currently are going to be medical decisions.
“And we’ve been able to get those right in the previous tournaments.
“We’ve been able to give people time, but with 23 that’s definitely more difficult.”
A UEFA statement this week confirmed it would be considered: “We have taken note of comments expressed by some national team coaches on the squad size for EURO 2024.
“A workshop with the participating teams will be held on 8 April and on that occasion UEFA will listen to the views of the coaches.
“Any idea in this respect will then be considered and assessed.”
Rule change would benefit Kobbie Mainoo
Mainoo appears to be the missing piece in Southgate’s midfield and should be starting in Germany alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, let alone making the squad.
But it shouldn’t be forgotten that he is just 18 and has only a handful of games under his belt.
It’s understandable if Southgate doesn’t feel completely confident in relying on someone so young and inexperienced.
Mainoo continues to rise to every occasion but the pressure and scrutiny will be at a different level at the Euros.
With a 23-man squad, when it comes to naming a player who has been there already and knows how to approach a tournament, you could see an outcome where Southgate doesn’t take the risk.
But with a 26-man squad, there is much more freedom to be bold as he will be able to have the best of both worlds.
Mainoo should go to the Euros even if the squad size remains at 23, but if it goes up so does his chance.