Is Mainoo the real deal?

[Grib]

His stamina is quite low at the moment, not helped in hiding it by the space he is being asked to cover. Physical maturation and a solid pre season without injury should bring him along rightly.

I don't disagree at all, the point you make is quiet clear and not to be unexpected at his age/stage of development

I have mates crying when eth has taken him off during games but he needs managed, you can see he fades in some games and that's no issue for a kid.

But it's credit to him today that he was clearly nearly out on his feet early in the second half today, and yet he still managed to plug a few key efforts winning the ball before he got withdrawn

People put physicality as a negative against him but I'm not referencing stamina (as I'm sure they aren't either) but he gets stuck in, challenges and wins more 50/50s that one would expect at first glance, that's the physical point of view I'm referencing

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

This fan base is just shit. McTominay comes away with a goal and a lovely assist against Liverpool. Bruno plays in about 5 different positions, limping around to stay on the pitch to keep us at 11 men. Yet we have to slate them both in order to praise Mainoo, who wasn’t even on the pitch when 3 of the 4 goals went in. Maybe you were joking, in which case I took the bait.

Anyway. Mainoo is brilliant.

You realize I posted that in about the 60th minute right? Get a grip

(also nothing I said was wrong, he was doing the job of 3 players today)

 

[Rolaholic]

Must be half decent if he has foreign commentators creaming themselves on air

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[redshaw]

18-21 will see his stamina and physicality increase. I just hope we can keep him agile and skillful. Not like Shaw, Valencia weight training and lose their edge.

City players are all pretty ripped but not stocky with it. It was very apparent last year in the cup final. They look to be in top shape for the demands and skill retention. We need to be top class in this area under Ineos.

 

[Unam333]

Must be half decent if he has foreign commentators creaming themselves on air

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"Mainoo PlayStation"

 

[Art]

We gotta build the team around him.

 

[Livewire1974]

Best 18 year old midfielder I've seen, by a mile. Let's see if he can live up to his promise but it looks like he will.

 

[Dan_F]

You realize I posted that in about the 60th minute right? Get a grip

(also nothing I said was wrong, he was doing the job of 3 players today)

Oh okay, you’re going to double down on it. Where were these other two players that he was supposedly doing the job of?

 

[Northstand]

This fan base is just shit. McTominay comes away with a goal and a lovely assist against Liverpool. Bruno plays in about 5 different positions, limping around to stay on the pitch to keep us at 11 men. Yet we have to slate them both in order to praise Mainoo, who wasn’t even on the pitch when 3 of the 4 goals went in. Maybe you were joking, in which case I took the bait.

Anyway. Mainoo is brilliant.

Well said.

 

[Red-17]

https://x.com/Squawka_Live/status/1769437372683301183?s=20

https://x.com/StatmanDave/status/1769412262068924880?s=20

He's a player that should be racking up 70-80 passes regularly in matches. No reason he shouldn't be our main focal point in midfield, but we need to actually want to keep the ball more. He's playing very well, but I don't think he is someone who benefits neither offensively or defensively much from the chaos football with heavy transition emphasis that we currently play.

 

[Red-17]

Would be the strongest midfield of the EUROs. Hope Southgate takes him, he's ready and the only English player that could do the job he does is Bellingham. If Bellingham will play higher up the pitch, it's a no brainer to take Kobbie and he should probably start. If Bellingham will play at #8 alongside Rice, then you can still take Mainoo and put him on the bench as an incredible option.

Can't think of a better midfield partner for him than Rice. Southgate would be crazy to not at least have him in the squad. I get not trusting an 18 year old starting matches, but if you need help gaining control of a game, there is no midfielder available with his quality in the England set up.

 

[Conor]

18-21 will see his stamina and physicality increase. I just hope we can keep him agile and skillful. Not like Shaw, Valencia weight training and lose their edge.

City players are all pretty ripped but not stocky with it. It was very apparent last year in the cup final. They look to be in top shape for the demands and skill retention. We need to be top class in this area under Ineos.

You've literally just named 2 random players from the last 15 years that were stocky to begin with, what the feck do they have to do with Mainoo

 

[Ballache]

I still don't know if he needs a Thuram next to him or a Zubimendi. I don't know if he's a 6 or an 8...Maybe that's a good thing but I do know that I haven't been this excited about a midfielder from out academy since Ravel and that was ages ago.
What he's good at can't be taught...Everything else from positioning to physicality will come but the way he moves with the ball and his composure are God given...

 

[arthurka]

Filthy good

 

[humdinger]

Absolutely amazing today. What a talent this lad is.

 

[Cassidy]

He's a player that should be racking up 70-80 passes regularly in matches. No reason he shouldn't be our main focal point in midfield, but we need to actually want to keep the ball more. He's playing very well, but I don't think he is someone who benefits neither offensively or defensively much from the chaos football with heavy transition emphasis that we currently play.

He isn’t physically capable of that yet as well as the issues with the team. Both things will hopefully be fixed

 

[Ole's screen]

He's a player that should be racking up 70-80 passes regularly in matches. No reason he shouldn't be our main focal point in midfield, but we need to actually want to keep the ball more. He's playing very well, but I don't think he is someone who benefits neither offensively or defensively much from the chaos football with heavy transition emphasis that we currently play.

He still needs to add more range to his passing. He excels in tight spaces with bodies close but he often just doesn't make a big pass or switch when he's given time - often just dallying and then passing back to the CB.

 

[Cantonagotmehere]

He still needs to add more range to his passing. He excels in tight spaces with bodies close but he often just doesn't make a big pass or switch when he's given time - often just dallying and then passing back to the CB.

He's made some great long through balls this season mate. Don't mind him keeping it simple for the most part at this stage.

 

[Lj82]

You've literally just named 2 random players from the last 15 years that were stocky to begin with, what the feck do they have to do with Mainoo

I'm more curious why he thinks Mainoo getting Valencia's physique would be bad. Man was strong like a tank while being absolutely rapid

 

[Reiver]

I'm more curious why he thinks Mainoo getting Valencia's physique would be bad. Man was strong like a tank while being absolutely rapid

And his crosses couldn't have hit a tank.

 

[Bojan Djordjic]

Can't think of a better midfield partner for him than Rice. Southgate would be crazy to not at least have him in the squad. I get not trusting an 18 year old starting matches, but if you need help gaining control of a game, there is no midfielder available with his quality in the England set up.

Probably a good thing Mainoo isn't getting called up. He's putting up a lot of minutes for his age which always makes me nervous from a long term perspective. Last thing we want is another Pedri situation on our hands where he was made play every minute for club and country in his breakout seasons and now seems to be a perma-crock. As good as he is, you'd probably be happier if he was a less crucial part of our midfield so early in his development. Love this guy so much - I really hope we don't flog him to death.

 

[Bojan Djordjic]

He still needs to add more range to his passing. He excels in tight spaces with bodies close but he often just doesn't make a big pass or switch when he's given time - often just dallying and then passing back to the CB.

I think this will come with experience. Teenagers usually play within themselves a little due to nerves or fear of making mistakes but we've definitely seen glimpses that he has the ability to make those more difficult longer passes.

Also, he's 18 so despite his talent, he's still the rookie in that midfield and so he probably doesn't have the entitlement or gravitas within the team environment to demand the ball enough to start racking up those high passing volume games. As he gains seniority, we should start seeing those volume stats like progressive passes and carries improve.

 

[Pickle85]

He's made some great long through balls this season mate. Don't mind him keeping it simple for the most part at this stage.

Agreed. And his ability to beat a man or two in the middle of the park is also a brilliant way of taking players out of the game, just as bypassing players with accurate long passing can be. I'm sure he has it in his locker but like you I have no issues with him keeping it simple at the mo.

 

[BenitoSTARR]

The more I see the more excited I get.

Still think we need 2 CMs in the summer (one holding, one box to box) but Mainoo for me is a starter who due to his age just needs his minutes managed now.

His quality is evident.

 

[Marcus]

What a player! Love that he plays for us.

 

[Rams]

Promoted to the National Side’s first team! Congrats Kobe! I’ve been telling ya, he’s on that plane to Germany this summer..

 

[DWelbz19]

He's a player that should be racking up 70-80 passes regularly in matches. No reason he shouldn't be our main focal point in midfield, but we need to actually want to keep the ball more. He's playing very well, but I don't think he is someone who benefits neither offensively or defensively much from the chaos football with heavy transition emphasis that we currently play.

Agreed. For him to continue his growth, I think that's the next step. Hopefully the next manager/an amended system fixes this.

 

[Mr Pigeon]

I fecking hate Mainoo. As a Scot I don't like having a reason to cheer on England, and now this selfish cnut has given me one.

 

[Teja]

He's a player that should be racking up 70-80 passes regularly in matches. No reason he shouldn't be our main focal point in midfield, but we need to actually want to keep the ball more. He's playing very well, but I don't think he is someone who benefits neither offensively or defensively much from the chaos football with heavy transition emphasis that we currently play.

It seems like he can do anything in midfield but we don't want him to become a jack of all trades type guy. The first step is to decide what his best position is and set him up for development in that role. I think he's a more of what the Spanish call an "interior midfielder" (Iniesta, Bernardo Silva, Gavi etc.) and not a deep lying playmaker.

If that's true, I don't think he really needs to rack up the pass count. If we see him as a deeper playmaker (Jorginho mould) then yes he absolutely must get on the ball more and dictate the game.

 

[Simbo]

Well he's made the squad, great achievement. Much better than spending summer with the U-21's.

 

[Fallon d'Floor]

He's got that Mousa Dembélé level of press resistance.

It still early days, but he does have the potential to become a well rounded #8 if he keeps his head and continues to develop.

 

[redshaw]

You've literally just named 2 random players from the last 15 years that were stocky to begin with, what the feck do they have to do with Mainoo

Yeah ok.

Valencia was a slimmer agile player and I think he lost his edge when he bulked up. There's also been reports over the years of players doing that. Shaw yes naturally stocky but there's a fine line between being at your optimum, he has varied a lot in size and I think it's been his detriment, could even be carrying extra weight impact his joints and causes more injuries and slower returns, he's stocky but has some weight issues that has lapsed at the club.

Lukaku became overweight here, had diet issues spotted buy Inter, or maybe just that as well as being more stricter on players diets and training. I wouldn't say our club has been good with training and diets in general and that is something Ineos wants to address, they have stated this, but laugh all you want. Bastian came here and become overweight as well.

All I'm saying is there's a type of fitness required to have the best suitable strength, stamina and maintain agility and skill. I expect all players to be handled better going forward.

 

[Ole'sattheWheel]

I fecking hate Mainoo. As a Scot I don't like having a reason to cheer on England, and now this selfish cnut has given me one.

you had me in the first half

 

[Cee90]

Pure filth.

 

[STYLOISRED]

He's got that Mousa Dembélé level of press resistance.

It still early days, but he does have the potential to become a well rounded #8 if he keeps his head and continues to develop.

I'm sorry what??
Dembele is the most press resistant midfielder I've ever seen on the football pitch. He may not have been world class in other aspects of play but his ability to just casually glide past any sort of press is second to none I've witnessed. If Mainoo had that level of press resistance he'd be generational! Hell! Half that level at 18 would incredible.

 

[Fortitude]

It seems like he can do anything in midfield but we don't want him to become a jack of all trades type guy. The first step is to decide what his best position is and set him up for development in that role. I think he's a more of what the Spanish call an "interior midfielder" (Iniesta, Bernardo Silva, Gavi etc.) and not a deep lying playmaker.

If that's true, I don't think he really needs to rack up the pass count. If we see him as a deeper playmaker (Jorginho mould) then yes he absolutely must get on the ball more and dictate the game.

Would say the first step is getting players of his level in and around him in midfield so that he can fully express himself without any limitation or concern that his partner(s) don't have the competence to keep up. If he has players who can ping the ball back to him or receive it as effortlessly as he does, he'll naturally show leanings towards certain areas of the pitch and preferences in what he opts to do, and if he doesn't, that in itself will tell us he's an eclectic midfielder who going to end up an #8 where freedom of movement and expression are higher than the more disciplined #6 and #10 where you are there to do a specialist job first and foremost.

Two or three 'Mainoo's' in midfield, and our ball possession stats will quickly elevate to top percentile in the league. At this moment in time, all eyes should be on what he looks like for England with Rice and Bellingham, as on paper, that's a perfect midfield unit. We're not going to go out and spend £200m+ on that pair, but we'll get truer insights into Mainoo's game if he can focus solely on himself and not catering to those less able than himself.

 

[Hughie77]

The boy passes into areas were other players are scared to.. this is a breath of fresh air, the ability on the ball is all there to see, he will grow will get stronger then he will be even better.. don't forget he's 18... to get a full 90 of quality is a ask, that will come with age and game time..

For me along with Dalot Garnacho And of late Bruno , regular first 11..

 

[Moriarty]

I didn't see the England v Brazil game but the Guardian's Barney Ronay wrote: " Kobbie Mainoo got 15 minutes and took about 90 seconds to look so much smoother, more comfortable, better on the half-turn, less in the way of chest-puffed Three-Lions mania. He’s just so young. He’s also just very good at this."

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

Baby Seedorf with a touch of Kante

 

[kaku06]

I'm sorry what??
Dembele is the most press resistant midfielder I've ever seen on the football pitch. He may not have been world class in other aspects of play but his ability to just casually glide past any sort of press is second to none I've witnessed. If Mainoo had that level of press resistance he'd be generational! Hell! Half that level at 18 would incredible.

That’s just nonsense. Have u never seen Xavi and Iniesta? Because those two are the benchmarks especially Xavi. Moussa dembele was world class at pressing don’t get me wrong but he was no Xavi.