Gareth Southgate likes what he has seen from Kobbie Mainoo (Picture: Getty Images)
Ivan Toney has tipped Kobbie Mainoo to ‘go right to the top’ after making his first England start in the draw with Belgium on Tuesday and winning Man of the Match in the process.
The Manchester United midfielder was handed his second cap by Gareth Southgate and thrown into the starting line-up for the first time at Wembley.
The 18-year-old made the most of the opportunity, catching the eye in the middle of midfield and making a case to be in the squad for Euro 2024 this summer and potentially be in the starting XI.
Toney was certainly impressed, with the Brentford striker scoring England’s first goal from the penalty spot after brilliant work by Mainoo in the build-up.
The 28-year-old can scarcely believe what Mainoo is doing at just 18 years old and reckons he is set to join the elite of the game.
‘I think at 18 I was probably playing Xbox,’ Toney told Sky Sports. ‘But he’s out here being a man and playing for England.
‘He carries himself very well, he glides with the ball and there’s a lot more to come from him, I’m sure he’ll go right to the top.’
Ivan Toney scored his first England goal in the 2-2 draw (Picture: Getty Images)
Mainoo was awarded Man of the Match in the 2-2 draw which saw Youri Tielemans twice put Belgium ahead either side of the Toney penalty, before Jude Bellingham scored an injury-time equaliser.
Southgate was also thoroughly impressed with the teenager, not just in the game on Tuesday but in his week training with the England team for the first time.
On his thoughts on Mainoo, the England boss told beIN Sports: ‘Just that he has had a fabulous week with us.
‘Everything that we’ve seen with his club, he reproduced in an England shirt which isn’t always the case. Very calm, receives the ball so well under pressure, strong, so we are a little bit more open playing that way but the benefits with the ball were clear to see.
Mainoo has made an impressive case for an England midfield role (Picture: Getty Images)
‘Talking to him tactically, he seems able to take all those concepts on. A lot of young players now, with their academy education, are able to do that. You can see his comfort with the ball and receiving in tight areas.’
England have two remaining friendlies in June shortly before Euro 2024 begins, taking on Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iceland.
Mainoo will likely be given the chance to shine again, with the possibility that he could start alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in midfield this summer.
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