The amazing parallels to the Bayern youngster

Kobbie Mainoo has been called up for the England national team for the first time. The teenager from Manchester United was actually intended for the U21s during the upcoming international break – but he is actually too good for them.

Although none of the Three Lions players around superstar Harry Kane were unavailable, coach Gareth Southgate changed his mind before the games against Brazil and Belgium and called the teenager into his own team.

In Germany, Mainoo may not be known to all fans – but his path into the limelight is extremely reminiscent of a player who is currently making a lot of headlines in the Bundesliga. We’re talking about Aleksandar Pavlovic.

The two youngsters – Mainoo is 18 years old, Pavlovic is 19 – have a number of parallels in their young careers. The most obvious from a sporting perspective: both are used in central midfield.

Both made their breakthrough with the professionals last fall. At a young age they impress with astonishing confidence on the ball and make a completely ripped impression. In addition, both currently have the same number of scorer points, even if Mainoo is a little more offensive: two goals, two assists.

And: Both have dual citizenship and were recently called up for a senior national team – thus skipping the intermediate step to the U21.

The similarities don’t stop there. Both Mainoo and Pavlovic are true natives of two record champions. Mainoo came through the Red Devils’ youth ranks and is a “local boy”, born just eleven kilometers from Manchester. Pavlovic was born in Munich.

A big difference, of course, is that Pavlovic, unlike Mainoo – who could also have played for Ghana and has already been compared to Clarence Seedorf – cannot travel to the national team due to an illness. But the similarities clearly predominate.