Gareth Southgate, the head coach of the England national team, is seriously considering starting Kobbie Mainoo in the match against Belgium at Wembley on Tuesday. Mainoo, an 18-year-old talent from Manchester United, was a late addition to the squad and made his international debut as a substitute against Brazil. Now, he has the opportunity to showcase his abilities and potentially earn a place in the final squad for the Euro 2024 tournament.

As this is England’s last game before Southgate makes his squad selection for the tournament in Germany, a strong performance from Mainoo could significantly boost his chances. Southgate will initially announce an extended group before narrowing it down to the final 23 players.

Mainoo might be part of a youthful midfield that includes 25-year-old Declan Rice, who will captain England for the first time on his 50th cap, and 20-year-old Jude Bellingham.

When asked about the emergence of Bellingham and Mainoo and its implications for established midfielders like Kalvin Phillips and Jordan Henderson, Southgate emphasized the need to work with the best available players. He acknowledged Phillips’ importance to the team’s balance and mentioned that Henderson, as a senior player, may not always start but can still be crucial with his experience and leadership qualities.

In addition to Mainoo, Ivan Toney is set to play as the striker tonight, while Lewis Dunk and Ezri Konsa, who made his debut as a substitute against Brazil, are also hoping for a starting role.