In a surprising move, 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo has been given the central midfield role for England in their Euro 2024 last-16 match against Slovakia. The Manchester United player had a breakout season and has been chosen by manager Gareth Southgate to replace Conor Gallagher. Meanwhile, Slovakia coach Francesco Calzona has named an unchanged starting 11, with the rest of his team seeking to reach a major tournament quarterfinal for the first time.
Kobbie Mainoo Earns England Call-Up for Euro 2024
In a stunning turn of events, 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo has been handed the starting central midfield role for England in their upcoming Euro 2024 last-16 clash against Slovakia. The Manchester United youngster has enjoyed a breakout season with the Red Devils, earning the recognition of Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate.
Southgate's decision to select Mainoo ahead of seasoned internationals like Conor Gallagher and Kalvin Phillips has sent shockwaves through the English football landscape. The move is seen as a testament to the youngster's exceptional talent and burgeoning potential.
Meanwhile, Slovakia coach Francesco Calzona has opted for continuity, naming an unchanged starting lineup from the team's group stage victories. The Slovaks will be looking to reach the quarterfinals of a major tournament for the first time in their history.
Background on Kobbie Mainoo
Mainoo is a product of Manchester United's renowned academy, rising through the ranks with his exceptional passing range, tactical awareness, and tireless work ethic. He made his senior debut for the club in the 2022/23 season and quickly established himself as a regular in the starting lineup.
His impressive performances for United have not only caught the attention of Southgate but also earned him comparisons to legendary midfielders such as Paul Scholes and Xavi Hernandez. Mainoo's ability to dictate the tempo of a game and create chances with pinpoint passes has made him a sought-after talent.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Why has Gareth Southgate selected Kobbie Mainoo ahead of more experienced midfielders? Southgate has been impressed by Mainoo's maturity and the way he has adjusted to playing at senior level. The manager believes that Mainoo's technical ability and energy will bring a new dimension to England's midfield.
2. What are Mainoo's strengths and weaknesses? Mainoo is a highly skilled passer with excellent vision and a wide range of passing options. He is also a tireless worker and understands the defensive side of the game. However, his physicality and experience may be potential areas for improvement.
3. How has Mainoo's rise to prominence impacted Manchester United? Mainoo's breakout season has been a major boost for Manchester United, who have been struggling in recent years. His emergence has given the club's fans renewed optimism and hope for the future.
4. What are Slovakia's chances of upsetting England? Slovakia will be underdogs in the match against England, but they have shown in the group stage that they are capable of creating chances and scoring goals. The Slovaks will need to be at their best to overcome a talented English side.
5. What are the long-term prospects for Kobbie Mainoo? Mainoo has the potential to become one of the best midfielders in the world. He has all the technical and physical attributes to succeed at the highest level. If he continues to develop and fulfill his potential, he could become a key player for both Manchester United and England for many years to come.
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) gears up for the mega auction for its 2025 season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has made a strategic move by retaining their star players Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. After a stellar performance in the previous season, an in-form Virat Kohli was the first choice for the franchise and was retained for Rs 21 crore. With a strong and cohesive lineup, RCB is all set to make a mark in the upcoming season.
Indian Premier League team Punjab Kings has announced its list of retained players ahead of the IPL auction. Only two players, Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh, have been retained by the franchise. With the biggest purse of Rs 110.50 crore, the team will have plenty of options to strengthen its squad in the upcoming auction.
The Rajasthan Royals have decided to stick with their captain Sanju Samson, along with five other players, as they prepare for the upcoming IPL auction. The team has retained a total purse of Rs. 41 crore and will have the opportunity to strengthen their squad by adding new players. The decision to keep Samson as captain and retain other young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag shows a long-term strategic vision for the team. Fans can't wait to see what new additions the team will make to drive their success in the next season.
The Delhi Capitals (DC) have announced a major rebuild ahead of the 2024 IPL season, only retaining four players for the upcoming mega auction. Inconsistent performances, injuries, and unavailability were cited as factors that plagued DC last season, prompting the franchise to go all out and make significant changes. With a new coach and director of cricket in place, DC is signalling a fresh start as they look to bounce back from a disappointing season. Axar Patel, the most expensive of the retained players at INR 16.5 Crore, will also be considered as a potential option for captaincy.
Mumbai Indians have made strategic retaining choices for the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction, keeping in-form players like Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya. However, the team has also released notable names like Ishan Kishan, Kumar Kartikeya, and Mohammad Nabi. With star players like Virat Kohli being retained for a hefty sum by RCB, the pressure is on MI to continue their dominance in the league. Stay tuned for more updates on the IPL 2025 retention process.
The Kolkata Knight Riders pair of Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh entertained the crowd with their fifties on day three of the Ranji Trophy match against Punjab. The duo's partnership of 120 runs set the foundation for Uttar Pradesh's massive first innings total of 556/9, taking a lead of 346 runs. Punjab struggled at 49/1 at stumps, while Haryana secured a vital first-innings lead over Madhya Pradesh thanks to Harshal Patel's unbeaten 72 and Yuzvendra Chahal's gritty 27.
As the deadline for the IPL franchises to reveal their list of retained players draws near, some surprising news has emerged from the camp of Rajasthan Royals. Out of their star-studded squad, the franchise is all set to release Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal, while retaining young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, and Sandeep Sharma. The retention of young wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel, who has been in top form for RR, is also being considered via the Right To Match card. Meanwhile, RCB is reportedly looking to hand over the captaincy reins back to Virat Kohli for the upcoming 25th edition of the IPL.
The Mumbai Indians, one of the most successful franchises in the Indian Premier League, have announced their list of retentions and released players ahead of the 2025 mega auction. Despite their recent dip in form, the team is gearing up for a strong comeback with the return of former head coach Mahela Jayawardane and the addition of new bowling coach Paras Mhambrey. With INR 45 crore at their disposal, the MI squad is looking to make some valuable additions and aim for their sixth IPL title. Stay updated with all the cricket action by following us and downloading our app.
The deadline has arrived for all ten Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises to submit their player retention lists. With a maximum of six players allowed to be retained, the teams will be making tough decisions on who to keep and who to release for the 2025 mega auction. The retention of players incurs deductions, with a maximum of five capped players and two uncapped Indian players allowed to be retained. All franchises, including Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, will be revealing their final list today.
As part of the Multicultural Action Plan, Cricket Australia held a special Diwali celebration at their headquarters in Melbourne, led by CEO Nick Hockley. Hockley extended his warm wishes to the cricket community, while international players such as Robbie Uthappa, KL Rahul, and Harbhajan Singh also joined in the festivities with their own Diwali greetings. This event showcases the diversity and inclusivity within the sport, and promotes the values of love, hope, and compassion that Diwali represents.