The fitness and health issues of England midfielder Kalvin Phillips may force manager Thomas Tuchel into a change of plans for the team's upcoming match against Argentina in Atalanta. However, Nicky Butt, a former England and Manchester United midfielder, hopes that Kobbie Mainoo continues to be overlooked by the team.
Butt, who is a huge fan of Mainoo, believes that introducing him to the team at this stage can only end badly due to his lack of game-time over the past month. He stated that Mainoo's inexperience could be detrimental to the team's chances of winning, especially in a crucial match like the semi-final.
Mainoo has yet to feature in the World Cup, and his chances of making an appearance seem slim. Paul Scholes, a former Manchester United midfielder, also expressed his concerns about Mainoo's lack of minutes, stating that Tuchel seems to be favoring other players over him.
Butt added that he hopes Mainoo doesn't come on in the semi-final, as he believes that the young player is not yet ready to play at that level. He stated that Mainoo's inexperience could lead to him making mistakes, which could ultimately harm the team's chances of winning.
The injury to Jordan Henderson has raised hopes that Mainoo might get a chance to play, but Butt remains skeptical. He believes that Mainoo needs more time to develop and gain experience before being considered for the team.
England's semi-final match against Argentina will be a crucial test for the team, and Tuchel will be under pressure to make the right decisions. With Mainoo's chances of playing looking slim, the team will have to rely on other players to deliver in the big game.
