Mainoo's World Cup Ghost Story: Zero Minutes and No Answers

Kobbie Mainoo travelled to this World Cup as part of England's squad but has not featured for even one minute, and according to Sky Sports, the explanation remains frustratingly unclear.

Sky Sports reports that when England needed fresh legs and energy against Norway in Miami, Tuchel turned to Eberechi Eze and then to Reece James, a player battling a hamstring injury who typically operates as a right back, ahead of Mainoo. Tuchel has frequently used James as a defensive midfield option, a pattern that has repeatedly shut the door on the Manchester United man.

The report notes that with Declan Rice managing illness and injury throughout the tournament, opportunities to rotate through midfield have existed, yet Mainoo has not been called upon once.

For a player of his quality and energy, it is one of the more puzzling subplots of England's run to the semi-finals, and one that may never be fully explained unless Tuchel addresses it directly.