Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has pinpointed how Kobbie Mainoo could outshine Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson for England at the World Cup this summer.
Kobbie Mainoo is one of only two Manchester United players to make the England squad for the World Cup tournament alongside Marcus Rashford.
The 21-year-old Stockport-born talent climbed back into the England squad during the March break under Thomas Tuchel after his turnaround in form last season.
However, Mainoo is facing an uphill battle in securing playing time at the World Cup in North America amid the roles of Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson for England.
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Rio Ferdinand explains where Kobbie Mainoo’s strengths surpass what Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson bring to the table
Kobbie Mainoo has been left on the bench as an unused substitute for England’s 4-2 win over Croatia and 0-0 draw against Ghana in their Group L fixtures so far.
Thomas Tuchel has relied on a midfield pivot featuring Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice and Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson against Croatia and Ghana.
Speaking on his podcast, Rio Ferdinand praised Rice and Anderson for their roles as midfielders and their abilities in both stopping and getting hold of the ball.
However, the 47-year-old Manchester United legend feels that Mainoo is better equipped than Anderson and Rice in playing out from the back for England.
“They’re [Anderson and Rice] great at retrieving the ball, at stopping [the ball],” he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.
“I saw some great stuff, especially Anderson, in terms of turnovers and winning the ball back and then setting us off again.
“But being able to get the ball off the backline and transfer it through the team precisely, through the lines, into the more dangerous areas and the final third, those players, that’s not their first call and their best attributes as players.
“So, who are we going to have to do that? And that’s why I thought, especially in the group stages, Kobbie Mainoo, I thought, could come in and do that.
“Because his ability to beat the press first and then play or dribble through the press, I think, is better than Declan and Anderson because that’s part of his game.”
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Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand shines a light on Kobbie Mainoo’s past tournament experience for England
Ferdinand admitted that Tuchel cannot overlook what Mainoo can bring to the table after the United talent’s past success for England at tournaments like Euro 2024.
“I think you’ve got to look at past tournaments as well,” he explained.
“Kobbie Mainoo’s best football, I think, he’s played in his whole career was at the Euros on the international scene. He was our best player then.
“He was getting likened to Clarence Seedorf, who we got on [our podcast] this week. Like, one of the best players of a generation.
“He’s [Mainoo] a player, I think, certain players suit international football. And by that I mean international football plays at a slower pace for most of the game. Who can then switch the pace of the game.
“Either with the ball, running or passing it through the lines. Kobbie Mainoo is that guy. He can do that.
“He’s proved it at an international level. And the two [Anderson and Rice] that are there, they are great at other parts of the game. But their games are very similar in that [regard].”
England are top of Group L and are level on points with second-place Ghana ahead of their next World Cup match against Panama at the MetLife Stadium on Saturday.
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