Ian Wright has been calling for Kobbie Mainoo to receive his first-ever senior England call-up for some time now.
The Arsenal legend first gave Mainoo his flowers back in February following Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Luton Town, as he took to Twitter (X) to say: “Kobbie Mainoo has to be in the next England squad. Such maturity in chaotic conditions that we’ve not seen from a England player in a long time. Impressed every time I watch him.”
Of course, we learnt this past week that the teenage starlet hadn’t made the cut for the Three Lions’ forthcoming double-header of friendlies. Gareth Southgate granted Jarrad Branthwaite and Anthony Gordon their maiden call-ups but opted against awarding Mainoo his, with him later being named in the Under-21s squad for the first time in his career.
Tonight, the Carrington graduate outperformed all his senior counterparts – on both teams – throughout his time on the pitch. He put in yet another scintillating shift, displaying maturity and experience beyond his years when lining up against one of Europe’s most in-form clubs, Liverpool.
Reacting to Mainoo’s showing on punditry, Wright shared a video of himself questioning: “How’s Kobbie Mainoo not in that [England] squad? Roy [Keane], how’s Kobbie Mainoo not in that squad? Come on, man. Come on. Man was immense today, gosh.”
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) March 17, 2024
