Kobbie Mainoo: The Teenage Sensation Making European Championship History
Manchester United’s 19-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is making waves at Euro 2024, and his impressive performances have earned him a spot in the history books. The Stockport-born midfielder has been a revelation for England, and his incredible pass accuracy has left fans and pundits alike in awe.
Mainoo’s breakthrough campaign at Manchester United saw him make 32 appearances in all competitions, and his impressive form earned him a spot in Gareth Southgate’s final 26-man squad. Despite being used sparingly in England’s opener against Serbia, Mainoo has since started three games, showcasing his exceptional skills and composure on the pitch.
According to Opta, Mainoo’s pass accuracy of 96% is the highest ever recorded for a midfielder in European Championship history. The teenager has completed an impressive 133 out of 138 passes, a feat that’s all the more remarkable considering the quality of opposition he’s faced.
But what’s even more impressive is Mainoo’s ability to control the tempo of the game. As CBS Sports correspondent James Benge pointed out, Mainoo ranks 131st out of 132 players to have completed over 100 passes at Euro 2024, with a mere 13% of his passes going forward. This suggests that Mainoo is more concerned with dictating the pace of the game and controlling the midfield than with launching long balls forward.
England’s Declan Rice, who has been a vocal admirer of Mainoo’s talent, believes that the teenager has the potential to achieve great things. "The sky is the limit for him," Rice said. "He’s an amazing player, and I’m looking forward to hopefully playing many games for England with him."
As England looks to make a deep run in the tournament, Mainoo’s performances will be crucial to their success. With his exceptional passing range and composure on the ball, he’s the perfect player to control the midfield and create chances for his teammates.
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