Why Bellingham is so in love with Kobbie Mainoo

Jacque Talbot

• 27 Mar 2024 10:35 GMT
• 3 min read

Jude Bellingham has talked up his England team-mate Kobbie Mainoo after the Manchester United midfielder’s stunning display against Belgium in an international friendly.

The Real Madrid star snatched a draw for the Three Lions deep into stoppage time after Aston Villa’s Youri Tieleman’s netted a brace.

But it was Red Devils youngster Mainoo who stole the show with his adept display from midfield.

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Speaking to Channel 4 after the match, Bellingham said of the 18-year-old: "He was good tonight. It’s difficult. I’m speaking like the old head here, but I know how hard it can be when there’s a clamour and people put a lot of pressure on you, so I don’t want to add fuel to the fire.

“But he’s definitely a brilliant player and he’s going to have an amazing future at Man Utd and hopefully for England as well.

How good was Kobbie Mainoo against Belgium?

Mainoo earned the accolade of being England’s Man of the Match - and rightly so. The teenager created two chances, drew two fouls, won two tackles, and completed 42 passes.

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The 18-year-old came off the bench late on against Brazil on Saturday night but was handed a start against Belgium on Tuesday night.

Kobbie Mainoo's 🥇 start for England vs. Belgium:

89% pass accuracy
42 passes completed
3 fouls drawn
2/3 tackles won
2 chances created
1 interception
1 shot

England's Player of the Match. 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/zJ54bjpKDX

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 27, 2024

He lined up as part of a midfield that included Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, who sat in front of them.

Gary Lineker admitted that he was impressed with what he saw from Mainoo during the games.

The Match of the Day presenter wrote on social media: "A superb first start by Kobbie Mainoo for @England. He’s not only played himself into the squad for the Euros but quite possibly the starting lineup. Well played young man.