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18th July 2024
12:30pm BST
Graeme Souness has slammed Kobbie Mainoo for a Euro 2024 performance, accusing him of 'not understanding his position' during England's 2-1 defeat to eventual champions Spain.
Mainoo started the tournament on the bench, however soon forced his way into the team and then kept his place throughout. A sign of great trust at a young age.
The 19-year-old started all four knockout matches and performed exceptionally well in games against Slovakia, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
Following the Spain game in which there was no hugely standout England performer, Souness identified a weakness stating he often can "wander".
“I think he’s really good on the ball, he’s very talented on the ball,” Souness said on The Up Front podcast.
“But he doesn’t fully understand the position. He wanders, he empties the middle of the field too readily.
“I watched him against Iceland (in England’s final Euro 2024 warm-up game)“He came on as a substitute when holding onto a 1-0 lead (in the Euro 2024 opener against Serbia) and the first thing he did was chase down the goalkeeper and try to put him under pressure.
“It’s naivety, he’s still learning the game.”
Despite this, Mainoo was credited hugely for his showings by the majority of Three Lions fans.
At just 19, he has a huge future ahead of him and has often been dubbed a generational talent.
To become an England regular in such a crucial position at that age should be applauded greatly.
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