BBC pundit Rio Ferdinand has said he will 'walk home from Germany' if Kobbie Mainoo doesn't start for England against Switzerland on Saturday night.
The Three Lions are currently gearing up for their Euro 2024 quarter-final showdown, with Gareth Southgate's men poised for their toughest test yet.
England have been flat at the tournament so far, winning just two of their four matches.
They were seconds away from going out of Euro 2024 against Slovakia on Sunday, only for Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane to spare their blushes.
BBC pundit Rio Ferdinand has said he will 'walk home from Germany' if Kobbie Mainoo doesn't start for England against Switzerland on Saturday night
BBC
And there's a sense England must up the ante if they're to go all the way and end 58 years of hurt.
Against Slovakia last time out, Southgate brought in Mainoo.
The Manchester United star started in place of Conor Gallagher, with Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold also overlooked.
Mainoo impressed on his first start of the tournament, with the 19-year-old classy and composed on the ball.
And Ferdinand has now revealed he will 'walk home from Germany' if the teenager isn't picked for the second match running.
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Responding to a rumoured line-up, Ferdinand said on X: "If Kobbie ain’t starting, I’m walking back from Germany! Has to…."
Fans have responded to his comments, with many in agreement that Mainoo deserves to keep his place in the team.
"Lol I would pick you up from the airport," were the words of one user.
"Kobbie Mainoo was England's best player against Slovakia - regardless of Bellingham's late goal. If Southgate doesn't start Mainoo, even by Southgate logic it is baffling," stated a second.
A third said: "He should definitely start."
"He is all that England got in the midfield," were the words of a fourth user.
And a fifth said: "Kobbie should be starting every game now, there's your Kalvin [Phillips] replacement Gareth."
Mainoo was injured at the start of last season.
But after starting for United in a 3-0 win over Everton back in November, the teenager's stock has soared.
Mainoo played a key role for United as they ended the season on a high, netting in the 2-1 FA Cup final win over Manchester City.
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If Kobbie ain’t starting, I’m walking back from Germany! Has to…. https://t.co/51yVgMwIKB
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) July 4, 2024
And whether he does indeed keep his place in England's starting XI for the showdown with Switzerland remains to be seen.
Jack Wilshere, meanwhile, lavished praise on the United youngster earlier in the week - insisting England should build around Mainoo.
"Kobbie Mainoo has shown he is the player that England need to build their midfield - and their team - around," said the former Arsenal star.
"That's what I felt as it looked like we were slipping to defeat.
"I know he was not on the pitch when our goals went in. But until that unbelievable comeback, Mainoo was our best player.
BBC pundit Rio Ferdinand wants Kobbie Mainoo to start for England in their Euro 2024 showdown with Switzerland
PA
"He has a fearlessness and an instinct to do the right things at the right times that seemed to be lacking for so much of the game."
He added: "Mainoo is the kind of midfielder England have been crying out for for a long time.
"He can be the glue that holds together this team for the rest of the tournament and well into the future."
