KOBBIE MAINOO has demonstrated that he is the person England needs to build their midfield—and their team—around.

That was how I felt as we appeared to be heading for defeat.

I know he wasn’t on the field when our goals went in.

But until that incredible comeback, Mainoo was our greatest player.

He possesses a fearlessness and instinct to do the right thing at the right moment, which appeared to be lacking in much of the game.

Mainoo, along with Declan Rice, gives England better structure. In theory, at least, because it did not appear that way for so long.

You can have any framework you want, but if a team lacks confidence, both individually and collectively, you will be unable to employ it successfully.

Fear can seep in. A fear of failure. Fear of losing the ball.

Mainoo lacks or appears to lack that, which is due in part to his age.

It was his first start in a big competition. He does not understand what it is like to have a lousy one.

But it’s also because of how he’s been coached, and you can see those hours of practice, mixed with his brilliance, in the way he plays.

If Mainoo gets the ball under pressure, he can release it with a single touch.

If there is time, he will take a second. He enjoys giving, receiving, and playing the one-two. To hold or make forward runs.

He just appears to make the correct decisions most of the time.

Mainoo took a while to settle into the first half. His early yellow card was undoubtedly unhelpful, but he handled it admirably.

His confidence grew, and it was encouraging to see him take responsibility at the conclusion of England’s disappointing first half.

He ran with the ball, attempted to create something, and took one of our few shots of the half.

Mainoo enjoys passing and receiving the ball, but England lacked bravery. It has been a recurring theme throughout the competition, returning us to the issue of lack of confidence.