Kobbie Mainoo has enjoyed an excellent breakthrough season at Manchester United, but’s he not ready for Euro 2024 with England.
That’s the view of Graeme Souness, who hinted to talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan that Chelsea star Cole Palmer should be on the plane to Germany instead.
England boss Gareth Southgate is set to name his 26-man squad for Euro 2024 by June 7 and likely to make some big calls due to such a large crop of talent.
Mainoo has made 26 starts for United this season and many have touted him for a place in the squad, but Souness doesn’t believe it’s the 19-year-old’s time.
“You’ve got the young boy Mainoo coming through,” said Jordan on Simon & Souness regarding the midfielder, with the pair agreeing: “Not ready yet.”
“You going to say play for England?,” Souness asked and his co-pundit replied: “I’m going to say, is it a conversation that should be had given the fact he’s gotten into the England squad?
“Is he ready to go with Southgate to the tournament? Is it worth him going there to get his teeth cut and be part of an environment or are all you all business for this tournament if you’re Gareth Southgate?”
Souness responded and proposed the Chelsea man instead: “All business. I don’t think he’s ready and I think… the boy Cole Palmer…”
Palmer has been touted as one of the signings of the season with 24 goals and 14 assists in all competitions from the right wing and midfield after signing from Manchester City.
Like Mainoo, Palmer has only made two senior England appearances but when asked by Jordan if he thinks he’s ready for Euro 24, Souness said: “Yeah. I think he’s further down that road, different player, goal scorer.
“If you were going tomorrow, if this weekend you were picking a group of players, Cole Palmer might be one of the first names on the team sheet if you’re Southgate.
“If you were going to Germany this weekend or announcing a squad this weekend, he would be one of the first names on the team sheet, he’s been outstanding.”
Jordan weighed in on Palmer’s excellent season, adding: “I kind of had reservations about him initially because I thought there’s no way that [Pep] Guardiola just lets him go because he can’t manage the kid’s expectations.
“Then I’ve seen in the last six weeks an acceleration in Cole Palmer. I thought he was doing well but in recent performances, he’s gone to a different level.”
Souness then backed up Jordan’s claim when he added: “That first goal he scored against Everton [in Chelsea’s 6-0 win], he’s nutmegged [Jarrad] Branthwaite then the ball’s bobbled around a bit and he’s back-heeled it.
“Then he ends up getting it back, sorts his feet out and picks a corner with his left foot, he’s top. Then other times he’s been in the right place at the right time, so he’s got that sense that all the great strikers have.”
With Euro 2024 squads being increased from 23 to 26 players, Southgate’s life on which players to select for Germany has been made somewhat easier.
Midfield stars including Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are set to be named ahead of Mainoo should he come under consideration, with Conor Gallagher another more experienced option.
Palmer could also face competition with Bukayo Saka and Jarrod Bowen both flourishing on the right, although his versatility could given him an edge.
News Summary:
- Kobbie Mainoo isn’t ready to go to Euro 2024 with England, but Cole Palmer is one of the first names on the teamsheet
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