Laryea Kingston, former Ghana international, advises caution in urging Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo to represent Ghana in football.
He emphasizes the importance of establishing Mainoo’s desire to connect with Ghana before proceeding with any discussions regarding a nationality switch.
Laryea stresses that the process of enticing the 18-year-old to opt for Ghana’s national team over England’s requires thorough consideration, starting with conversations and his assimilation into the team’s environment.
He highlights the need to engage Mainoo directly, perhaps by visiting him at Manchester United, to convey a sense of welcome and gradually integrate him into the Ghanaian football community. Laryea draws on past experiences with players like Agogo and Quincy, where efforts were made to help them feel comfortable and fit into the national team setup.
Mainoo is currently enjoying a successful season at Manchester United, with 13 appearances for the first team. Notably, he was instrumental in the team’s recent victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.
Reports surfaced last week indicating the Ghana Football Association’s interest in recruiting Mainoo to represent the Black Stars, as confirmed by GFA Executive Council member Dr. Randy Abbey.
In response, Laryea, also serving as assistant coach for Ghana’s U17 national team, urges the GFA to carefully assess whether Mainoo’s style of play aligns with the Black Stars’ dynamics before proceeding further.
He emphasizes the importance of evaluating Mainoo’s role at Manchester United and how it fits with the current Ghanaian team setup. Laryea compares this to the Spanish national team’s selection criteria, where players’ styles must complement the team’s approach, regardless of their club performances.
