Jude Bellingham and Gareth Southgate agree on “different” Kobbie Mainoo

Gareth Southgate and Jude Bellingham have agreed on the performance of Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo following his first start for England.

Kobbie Mainoo has all but cemented his place in England‘s squad for EURO 2024 after great performances from the Manchester United midfielder against Brazil and Belgium.

Although he was not originally selected for England in the most recent international fixtures, Gareth Southgate changed his mind and called him up to the squad, handing Mainoo his debut.

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Mainoo was afforded 20 minutes against Brazil before he was thrust into the starting XI against Belgium on Tuesday evening, where the young midfielder played 74 minutes alongside Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice.

Speaking after the game, Real Madrid‘s Bellingham was quick to praise the new England international, explaining that Mainoo is a “really great player”.

“He was good tonight, he was good,” Bellingham explained after the game. “It’s difficult – I’m speaking like the old head here – but I know how hard it can be when there’s a clamour and people put a lot of pressure on you.

“I don’t want to add fuel to the fire, but he’s definitely a brilliant player. He’s going to have an amazing future at Man United and, hopefully, for England as well.”

Southgate himself agreed with Bellingnham’s notion that Mainoo played well against Belgium despite the loss, explaining that Mainoo was able to bring a different form of creativity to England’s engine room.

“Kobbie Mainoo brought us something completely different creatively,” Southgate told reporters at full-time.

“He [Mainoo] had a fabulous week. Everything we saw with his club, he replicated in the England jersey. Very calm, comfortable under pressure, strong.”

Mainoo will now return to United after his brilliant week with England as Erik ten Hag prepares his side to face Brentford away from home.