Mainoo has solved Gareth Southgate’s midfield dilemma which started with the botched experiment of playing Trent Alexander-Arnold alongside Declan Rice. Conor Gallagher came into the side for the final group game against Slovenia, only to be replaced by Mainoo at half-time.
The 19-year-old has started every game since, impressing with his calmness and positivity on the ball. His composure has stood out most for Lineker, who said on his The Rest is Football podcast: “Nothing seems to faze him, fearlessness of youth.”
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
The Match of the Day host began his tribute to the teenager by declaring: “Kobbie Mainoo, goodness me, what a footballer.”
He added: “He’s incredible. We talked about [Spain’s] Lamine Yamal. Obviously, he is unbelievably talented in a different way. Mainoo is incredibly impressive, and he’s also a teenager.
“It’s kind of a tournament of emerging stars, which is something you want to see. Obviously, we know he can cope with a cup final. He played against Manchester City and scored that goal and performed brilliantly. I think he won the man of the match in that final.”
Former England and Manchester City defender Micah Richards hailed Mainoo’s understated confidence in his ability. He said: “He believes in his own quality. You hear him in his interviews and he doesn’t get too excited. He’s just calm.
Kobbie Mainoo celebrates with England match-winner Ollie Watkins (Image: Getty)
“His interviews are like he is on the pitch, calf, composed, but with that little bit of confidence to say, ‘OK, I know what my ability is, I’m going to show you what I can do’. It’s great to see and long may it continue.”
Mainoo’s incredible talent was spotted at the age of just five at grassroots club Cheadle and Gately FC. Volunteer coach Steve Vare knew straight away there was something special about him.
“He was five when he first came down and started and within a couple of weeks myself and another volunteer at the time just looked at each other and said, ‘Wow, this kid is unbelievable',” Vare told the PA news agency.
“He was dominating games, running from one end to the other and it just became apparent that he was a fantastic young boy that had come through.
Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Gary Lineker has raved about Kobbie Mainoo (Image: The Rest is Football/YouTube)
“We had to find ways to challenge him. We put some rules in games where he could only score with his left foot, he had to pass to a team-mate, all sorts of different things just to challenge and develop him.
“The drills were far too easy for him, we were fizzing passes to him and chipping them in. I would have to load all the best players onto the opposing team just to make it a challenge for him.
“At the end of the session we used to hand out trophies and I told him he’d win one every week but we have to share them out. Some boys or girls might have reacted differently but Kobbie always understood. He knew how good he was.
“It got to a situation where we couldn’t challenge him on a Sunday morning session, he was ready to go into a professional set up at the age of five, that’s how good he was.”
