Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has received a call-up to England’s squad for their upcoming international fixtures against Brazil and Belgium.
The 18-year-old was initially left out of Southgate’s 25-man squad, as the England boss emphasized his desire not to overwhelm Mainoo at this early stage of his career.
Mainoo was originally named in the Under-21 squad for the first time in his career, but England have now confirmed that he will join the senior setup instead.
He has not joined as an injury replacement, with England confirming the original 25-man group all reported to St George’s Park on Tuesday, with Mainoo simply joining the group for the upcoming friendlies.
Mainoo has represented England from Under-17 to Under-19 level but is now set to bypass Under-21 duty and fight for his first senior cap.
The promotion to the senior England squad sees Mainoo’s whirlwind breakthrough season continue. After an exciting pre-season,
the teenage midfielder found himself sidelined for over two months with an ankle injury, but he made an immediate impression upon his return to action for United.
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Erik ten Hag has handed Mainoo 20 appearances in all competitions so far this season, including 14 starts in the Premier League.
Calls for an England debut were initially met with resistance from Southgate who, while appreciative of Mainoo’s talents,
pleaded for caution and compared the situation to the emergences of Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham, both of whom had twice as much senior experience before making their first appearances for England.
England squad in full
GOALKEEPERS:
Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal).
DEFENDERS:
Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
MIDFIELDERS:
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), James Maddison (Tottenham), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal).
FORWARDS:
Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
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