"A player who makes your team play football" - Paul Scholes names England star who can control games like Rodri and Kroos at Euro 2024
Paul Scholes has told Gareth Southgate that Kobbie Mainoo can be England's answer to Rodri and Toni Kroos at Euro 2024. The Manchester United starlet has barely appeared for the Three Lions in Germany.
Mainoo, 19, enjoyed a breakout season at United, where he excelled as undoubtedly the Red Devils' most impressive midfielder. He made 32 appearances across competitions, posting five goals and one assist.
The Stockport-born ace was heralded throughout the campaign for his composure on the ball. He wowed fans with his dribbling abilities, including a stunning winner in a 4-3 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers (February 1).
Scholes suggested Mainoo should come into the England starting XI amid an underwhelming Euro 2024 campaign. The United legend told TNT Sports that he'd allow Southgate's side to control games:
"If Kobbie Mainoo came in [for England], all of a sudden, you have control; you have a player who makes your team play football. Sometimes, it takes just one player to be able to do that..."
Scholes compared Mainoo to Germany's Kroos and Spain's Rodri, who have been vital with their dominance in the middle of the park.
Kroos rolled back the years in his final season at Real Madrid with one goal and 10 assists in 48 games. Rodri shined at Manchester City with nine goals and 14 assists in 50 games:
"You think of Toni Kroos with Germany, he just makes them play football. Rodri with Man City and Spain, he makes your team play football. I think Kobbie Mainoo has got the ability to do that."
Southgate experimented with Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and used him in midfield. This didn't reap the rewards, as he wasn't at his best in a 1-0 win against Serbia and a 1-1 draw against Denmark. The Three Lions are through to the Euro 2024 knockout stages, but their tag as favorites has started to diminish.
Reports claim Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher is set to replace Alexander-Arnold in the XI against Slovenia tomorrow (June 25). He's a workhorse but not as elegant as Mainoo on the ball.
Sam Allardyce doesn't think Conor Gallagher is good enough to start for England at Euro 2024
Sam Allardyce has given his thoughts on Gallagher coming into Southgate's midfield. The former England manager doesn't think the Chelsea man has the passing acumen to be the answer. He told the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast:
"I don’t think Conor Gallagher is the answer. He’s not at this level. Conor’s still a young guy learning his trade. His work rate, closing down and winning the ball is very good, but his passing is not good enough to warrant a place."
Gallagher, 24, impressed at Stamford Bridge last season despite speculation over an exit increasingly growing. He appeared 50 times across competitions, registering seven goals and nine assists.
Southgate received major backlash after England's 1-1 draw with Denmark when he suggested he's failed to find a replacement for Kalvin Phillips. The Manchester City midfielder was available for selection but had performed poorly on loan at West Ham United.