Gareth Southgate is giving severe consideration to beginning Kobbie Mainoo in England’s round-of-16 conflict with Slovakia on Sunday, sources have instructed ESPN.
The 19-year-old appeared as a half-time substitute in opposition to Slovenia in England’s ultimate Group C recreation and though the match completed 0-0, Mainoo helped instigate an improved show within the second interval.
Southgate has been trying to find the appropriate steadiness in midfield having tried Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold after which Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher alongside Arsenal’s Declan Rice with restricted success within the group stage earlier than turning to Mainoo.
Ought to the Manchester United midfielder begin in Gelsenkirchen, it might be solely his sixth worldwide cap and the most recent step in a dramatic rise since making his full Premier League debut in November.
Southgate is beneath stress to ship an improved show after England received only one recreation and scored solely two objectives on the best way to topping Group C.
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The England boss confirmed at a pre-match press convention on Saturday that Luke Shaw wouldn’t be match sufficient to start the sport in opposition to Slovakia however might play some half from the bench if their medical staff deem him prepared as he continues to beat a hamstring downside which has sidelined the United defender since February.
Southgate is anticipated to withstand wholesale modifications to his line-up and it’s doable Mainoo would be the solely change, though Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer are pushing exhausting for locations following vigorous cameos as substitutes in opposition to Slovenia. The winner will face a quarterfinal in opposition to Switzerland in Dusseldorf on Saturday.
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