Former Crystal Palace chairman turned talkSPORT mouthpiece Simon Jordan believes being in the England squad for Euro 2024 is a step too far for Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo at this stage of his career.
The Manchester United starlet, 18, received his first senior call-up to the England squad this week ahead of the March internationals. It wasn’t long before the odds were slashed on him making Gareth Southgate’s squad for the European Championships in Germany this summer.
However, Southgate initially decided to leave Mainoo out of the squad for their friendlies against Brazil and Belgium as he wanted to give the youngster more time to focus on his development.
The Three Lions boss changed his tune after watching Mainoo’s excellent performance against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday. The United academy graduate has been added to the senior squad which now consists of 26 players.
Too soon for Mainoo, says Jordan
One pundit who doesn’t think Mainoo is ready to be in the England squad this summer is Jordan. He told talkSPORT: “The characterisation of it is he old enough?
“Well is he old enough for what? Is he old enough to be in the squad in some friendlies, why not?
“Is he old enough to be part of a Championship-winning England side? Probably not at this stage.
“The ultimate equation is, do we get something from putting him in an international framework, seeing how he responds to the back-drop of being amongst other players from other clubs and maybe he gets some game time?
“I think the question is, is he good enough and old enough for what?
“For being in a squad? Yeah, I think so, why not?
“But being in the England squad for the European Championships if we’re going to try and win it and have players available, seasoned and understand the expectations of international football, probably that’s a step I don’t think he’s ready for.”
Although I don’t want Mainoo sent to Euro 2024, I would argue that if he’s old enough to be playing for England’s biggest football club every week, he’s probably old and good enough to play for England too!
I think Mainoo’s primary focus should always be on United and I’m not a fan of them throwing him into senior international football so early on.
But there’s nothing we can do about that.
Mainoo is good enough and I don’t blame Southgate for wanting to work with such a talented young player.
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