“This is why he is better than every other midfielder in that England squad including Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmar. Only world class players plays like him. He has everything to be the England captain one day”- Fans left in shock as Kobbie Mainoo left a mark in the team after a world-class performance that left everyone comparing him to Jude Bellingham.

Despite a humbling defeat to Iceland at Wembley, Kobbie Mainoo asserts that England’s confidence remains unshaken. The Three Lions had aimed to end on a high note in their final match before beginning their Euro 2024 journey against Serbia next Sunday. However, Gareth Southgate’s squad delivered a lackluster performance, leading to boos from the home crowd at the final whistle.

When asked whether the team’s morale had taken a hit from the disappointing loss, Mainoo, who played the entire match, swiftly dismissed such concerns.

“Not at all! We’re fully aware of the quality we possess in our squad. Now, it’s about proving to the fans that we’re good enough to compete in Germany. Entering a tournament after a loss can be beneficial. It gives us a point to prove, and we know we can play much better. The defeat was humbling, and it’s time for us to unite. We’ve got something to prove, and that first game will be our chance to show it. If we’re not winning, we’re learning. Every learning opportunity is valuable, and it’s better to face this now rather than in nine days.”

Gareth Southgate acknowledged that the defeat was not the ideal preparation for a major tournament but stressed that there was no need to panic ahead of England’s opening game in Gelsenkirchen in just over a week.

“You’d prefer a good performance, an entertained crowd, and to be leaving on a high note,” Southgate said following the send-off friendly. “Clearly, our performance wasn’t up to the necessary standard. There are obvious reasons for that, and it actually allows us to sharpen our focus. These final games before tournaments can often be disjointed, as players worry about potential injuries.

“The most disappointing aspect tonight was our pressing. We didn’t press effectively and were too stretched. In our last few games, we’ve been excellent in this area, so it’s something we need to fix. Our play with the ball could have been better, but we still managed to create some good chances. Many players needed the minutes, especially those returning from injury or out of rhythm due to a break.

“At the end, when we ideally wanted experienced players to stay calm and help us regain control, we had to substitute them to protect them from potential injuries. It was far from an ideal night. I won’t downplay the disappointment about our performance, but we need to remain calm. We understand what needs to be corrected, and we’ll work on that between now and the game against Serbia.”