Coach Gareth Southgate has found the “new Kalvin Phillips” for the England team with the Kobbie Mainoo option.

The central midfielder pairing with Declan Rice is the most confusing position for coach Gareth Southgate at the EURO 2024 finals. Since the European football festival started, the England captain has tested options Trent Alexander- Arnold or Conor Gallagher, but both did not get the expected results.

The turning point came for the “Three Lions” in the second half of the draw with Slovenia, when Kobbie Mainoo came on to replace Gallagher. The impressive performance against Switzerland last night explains why the Man United talent has firmly established a place in the starting lineup, from the moment he was given the opportunity by Southgate.

Statistics from Squawka show that in 78 minutes on the field, Mainoo achieved a passing accuracy rate of up to 97%. The 19-year-old star helped the “Three Lions” compete for control of the midfield with 3 interceptions, 4 confrontation-winning situations and absolutely successful tackles.

With Mainoo, Rice has found the most ideal partner in the shirt of his hometown team. This pair’s chemistry is probably the solution to the problem of replacing Kalvin Phillips that has caused Southgate a headache recently.

Mainoo is a rare outstanding factor contributing to saving Man United’s 2023-2024 season. Carrington furnace products are also becoming a bright spot in the “Three Lions” squad that is not really convincing at the tournament in Germany.