Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka has now given his honest verdict about Kobbie Mainoo after playing and training beside the Manchester United prospect for England at Euro 2024.
Mainoo has enjoyed a stellar breakthrough in 2024 after emerging as a promising player for Manchester United. The 19-year-old even forced his way into the England ranks for the first time in March. Such is his skill that Gareth Southgate took Mainoo to Euro 2024 in Germany.
Southgate may even now start Mainoo when England face Slovakia in the last 16 on Sunday. The midfielder enjoyed his fifth cap to date as a half-time substitute against Slovenia and he produced a confident display. Saka also started for England having opened each tie so far.
Bukayo Saka thinks Kobbie Mainoo proved himself on ‘day one’ at Euro 2024
Saka knows the path Mainoo is treading after enjoying a similar rise for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta. The forward debuted for the Gunners under Unai Emery at 17 years and two months old. He also debuted for England just a month after turning 19, while Mainoo debuted at 18.
Southgate sought to reward Mainoo’s rise at Old Trafford during a season which returned 32 of his 35 senior appearances so far. Saka did not get his 32nd senior appearance at Arsenal until Arteta returned to Emirates Stadium. He now boasts 36 caps for England, plus 11 goals.
READ MORE: Everything to know on Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka from his age, parents and house
It did not take Mainoo long to prove his talents to Saka, either, with the Manchester United gem proving himself on ‘day one’. The Stockport native’s work during England and Slovenia’s draw on Tuesday night also proved to Saka what Mainoo can bring to the team at Euro 2024.
“I think he’s very mature,” Saka told talkSPORT. “Since day one in training, we can all see his talent and he’s got a lot of quality. And when he came on the other day [against Slovenia], he showed that. I just want him to keep going.”
Bukayo Saka should relish Kobbie Mainoo starting for England vs Slovakia
Southgate substituted Mainoo on for Chelsea vice-captain and Arsenal transfer target Conor Gallagher at half-time during England and Slovenia’s draw. The Manchester United gem took to the stage well as he happily received possession and often tried to play the ball forward.
It is now highly likely that Mainoo starts when England meet Slovakia in the last 16 and Saka should relish that. The Three Lions struggled to move the ball on the right-hand side against Slovenia with Saka only registering 44 touches during his 71 minutes on the field that night.
Phil Foden on the left, meanwhile, took 97 touches in 89 minutes with 81 of the Manchester City maestro’s touches coming whilst Saka was still on the pitch. Just Jordan Pickford (28), Gallagher (24) and Harry Kane (27) took fewer touches than those who started for England.
Mikel Arteta has Arsenal stars in Marbella while Bukayo Saka struggles at Euro 2024
In this week’s episode of the Arsenal Insider Podcast, Will Jones and Rahul Lakhani discussed England’s recent poor performances at Euro 2024 with Arsenal stars Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka receiving mixed reviews so far. Gareth Southgate’s tactical decisions were questioned.
“There was even some talk about the members of the Arsenal squad currently on a surprise mini-training camp with boss Mikel Arteta in Marbella, as well as a brief look at how Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli are getting on with Brazil at the Copa America in the USA.