Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo will reportedly start for England against Slovakia on Sunday, replacing Conor Gallagher in midfield.
Trent Alexander-Arnold held the midfield position alongside Declan Rice for the opening two group games before being replaced by Gallagher in the middle of the park.
Neither have been convincing in that role, albeit many other England players have also struggled to live up to expectations.
And Southgate is now reportedly ready to take a chance on Mainoo to start in England’s last-16 tie against Slovakia on Sunday.
Kobbie Mainoo will reportedly come into the starting line-up
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The 19-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough year at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag and impressed in his appearance off the bench against Slovenia.
Speaking earlier this month, United legend Wayne Rooney put his case forward as to why he would want Mainoo starting in midfield for England ahead of Alexander-Arnold.
“I have watched Trent play in midfield a few times and I think you lose a lot of his qualities,” he said.
“His delivery is obviously incredible and of course he can pick passes from midfield, but I think he has to fight it out [with Walker for the right-back spot].
“I know Kyle is the best right-back in the world at the minute but I think midfield is such an important position.
“I would play Mainoo before Trent in midfield, 100 per cent.
“It’s not that Trent can’t play there, we saw him do it recently against Everton and some of the passes he was hitting were unbelievable.
“It’s probably only Becks [David Beckham] who beats him in that area.”
Wayne Rooney has led the calls for Kobbie Mainoo to start
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More to follow…
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