Manchester United wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo could be set to replace Manchester City flop Kalvin Phillips for England, according to reports.
Mainoo has burst onto the scene this season with a series of impressive performances which has seen him break into Erik ten Hag’s first team.
The 18-year-old midfielder, who came through United’s academy, has been already compared to football legends Paul Scholes and Clarence Seedorf.
Mainoo is yet to earn his first senior call-up for England but according to the Daily Mail, Gareth Southgate is keeping a close eye on him amid concerns over Phillips.
England face Brazil and Belgium next month and Southgate is also considering call-ups for fellow uncapped duo James Garner and Harrison Reed, who play for Everton and Fulham respectively.
Southgate is monitoring the trio with City midfielder Phillips massively struggling at West Ham since he joined the club on loan in the January transfer window.
An error three minutes into his West Ham debut gifted a goal to AFC Bournemouth which saw him dropped for the next game against Ten Hag’s men.
Phillips was then booked after coming on at half-time in a 6-0 defeat to Arsenal and sent off in the defeat at Nottingham Forest last Saturday.
Southgate is a big fan of Phillips, who has earned 31 caps since his debut in 2020, but his latest performances have put his England spot in serious doubt.
Prior to joining West Ham on loan, Phillips was unable to get much game time at City under Pep Guardiola, where he moved to in 2022 from Leeds United.
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