Jude Bellingham was suddenly the “old head” in the England midfield, and after rescuing a late draw against Belgium, his next touch at Wembley was to provide a sense of calm elsewhere.

Jude Bellingham Praises Kobbie Mainoo

"I know how hard it can be when people put a lot of pressure on you, so I don’t want to add fuel to the fire,” he began. Yet Bellingham also knew what he had seen. “He was good tonight,” he said. “He’s definitely a brilliant player and he’s going to have an amazing future at Manchester United and hopefully for England as well.”

Mainoo's Remarkable Performance

Enter Kobbie Mainoo. Bellingham’s words are important, as the conversation around the 18-year-old midfielder and his chances of featuring at the Euros this summer moves onto the next stage of its remarkable escalation.

Mainoo's Potential Inclusion in the Euros Squad

These were far from ideal conditions to make your first England start: a heavy, damp pitch, an impatient, worried Wembley crowd, an unsettled, disjointed England team. Whether Mainoo had shone or struggled, at 18, it is far too early into his senior career for his prospects to be judged on one night alone.

Impact of Mainoo's Performance

Except Mainoo was genuinely excellent against Belgium, bringing a quality of touch and composure that stood out, offering something different and exciting in an England midfield that is so close to being on the cusp of world class.

Debate Around Mainoo's Inclusion

Can Mainoo complete it, with his ability to glide on the ball and evade pressure in possession? No one was expecting an immediate answer tonight, not really, not when the problem surrounding Gareth Southgate’s midfield has been hanging around for a couple of years, and a potential solution has only emerged in recent weeks.

Mainoo's Career Trajectory

But the whirlwind trajectory of Mainoo’s career, which is still only 25 games old, means that the debate around his potential inclusion in England’s Euros squad now accelerates to whether he starts alongside Declan Rice and Bellingham in their opening game against Serbia.

Southgate's Comments

"He gives us a different profile of midfield player to anything else we’ve got and we’re really pleased with what he’s done,” Southgate said. “You can’t believe his age really. His attributes are there for everybody to see, that ability to receive under pressure and ride challenges, to manipulate the ball in tight areas.”

Mainoo's Impactful Moments

Pick a moment, and there really were several here: whether that elegant turn and shimmy in the build-up to Ivan Toney’s first-half penalty that tricked the pursuing Youri Tielemans and Romelu Lukaku into easing off, before Mainoo surged clear towards the box, opening Belgium up.

Mainoo's Contribution to England's Midfield

There was the tenacity to hound Amadou Onana, the combativeness to stretch in and come away with the ball in the tackle that should have led to an assist for Bellingham. Mainoo took risks and attempted difficult passes in midfield, but it was the ease at which Mainoo struck up a relationship with Bellingham and Foden, in particular, that was really telling.

Mainoo's Readiness for More

And, yes, this was a friendly and England, defensively, struggled against a Belgium side who are no longer world-beating. An England side missing a first-choice defence made mistakes, and they arrived at unfortunate times – especially for Lewis Dunk. But, overall, there was a better shape and balance to England.

Mainoo's Growing Impact

But Mainoo, suddenly, can be a part of this too; the teenager who was not on anyone’s radar at the start of the season is no longer a wildcard but a real option. He had yet to make a Premier League start for Manchester United when England held their previous international camp in November.

The Future Looks Bright for Mainoo

He wasn’t included in Southgate’s original squad named earlier this month but then, a day after his standout performance against Liverpool in the FA Cup, he was promoted from the Under-21s. Then came the appearance off the bench against Brazil, 16 promising minutes that convinced Southgate he was ready for his full England debut when they returned to Wembley three days later. And on this evidence, Mainoo looks ready for a whole lot more. As Bellingham hinted, the fire has been lit.