Manchester United prodigy Kobbie Mainoo has earned another comparison to a football legend but Erik ten Hag might not be pleased about it.
The meteoric rise of Kobbie Mainoo soared to further heights on Tuesday night as he made his first start for England at just 18.
Not only did Mainoo start against Belgium but he shined, earning the Player of the Match award in the 2-2 draw and almost certainly playing himself into Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024.
The classy and combative midfielder has been a revelation in Erik ten Hag’s side this season, one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dreary campaign.
Mainoo’s display at Wembley has earned plaudits fromSouthgate, Ivan Toney, Jude Bellingham, Graeme Souness and plenty of fans.
Now Carlton Cole has been added to the list, with the former striker seeing similar qualities to Clarence Seedorf in Mainoo.
Carlton Cole compares Kobbie Mainoo to legend Clarence Seedorf
Speaking on TalkSPORT, Cole said: “I hope he goes on to go and emulate one of my favourite players, Clarence Seedorf.
“You’ve got to aim high, right. I’m not saying he is Clarence Seedorf, but he’s got that power, he knows how to read the game.
“He’s very intelligent, a very intelligent person to have on the pitch.
“He receives the ball comfortably under pressure, and a lot of young guys like him don’t do that.”
Erik ten Hag won’t be best pleased with Mainoo being compared to legends again
It’s actually not the first time Mainoo has been compared to Seedorf, which just shows how good he has been for a while now.
Speaking earlier this month, Ten Hag was asked about the similarities between the pair and immediately moved to shut down any talk of his player being compared to the great Dutchman.
“So I think never ever compare players with another player,” he said. “Never. Because Kobbie Mainoo, but also other players, they build their own identity.
“Don’t compare with anyone. His skill set, that is so typical. And it’s so Kobbie Mainoo, it’s nothing to do with other players.
“Of course, he can learn from other players, especially from great players as Clarence Seedorf was. But Kobbie Mainoo is Kobbie Mainoo. He has big potential and I’m quite sure he will have a big career.”
Hopefully Mainoo can have a career half as good
On his current trajectory, Mainoo is only heading for greatness.
But we have seen extremely promising careers not live up to expectations time and again. So it’s important not to get too excited just yet over someone so young.
If Mainoo can end up having a career just half as good as Seedorf’s then he would have done extremely well.
The legendary midfielder won all there is to win in the game at Ajax, AC Milan and Real Madrid, including four Champions League trophies.