GARY LINEKER revealed the three young England stars he is tipping to make it into Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad.
Southgate is due to make his final selection just before the tournament kicks off in June in Germany.
And England legend Lineker was asked which players – not yet capped at senior level – would he pick to board the plane.
He said on The Rest is Football: “Blimey, put me on the spot there! I think maybe (Jarrard) Branthwaite from Everton, I think he has got a chance.
“I think it’s just an area of the team that Gareth might give someone a chance.
“I know Cole Palmer’s already been I think in the England squad and played, so it doesn’t quite count. But I think he’s got a real chance of making the squad.
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“And I will go with Kobbie Mainoo as the other one because he has impressed me so much. I mean he’s so young obviously, I think he’s just 18.
“So, to do what he’s doing is quite remarkable at a club like Man United, so I think he might just sneak in.”
Here, SunSport looks at the budding trio picked out by Lineker.
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Jarrad Branthwaite
The defender, 21, has emerged as one of the brightest centre-backs in the Premier League and attracted heavy transfer interest from top clubs.
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He has made 29 appearances with two goals to his name and represented England at Under 20 and U21 level.
Southgate has chopped and changed his centre-back pairings in recent years but left-footed Branthwaite looks to be a strong new candidate.
Cole Palmer
The playmaker, 21, has been a rare spark in Chelsea’s dark season since making his £45million move from Manchester City.
He has 12 goals in his 30 Blues games this season and has shown versatility playing both out on the right and through the middle.
Palmer has two senior England caps but faces heavy competition in the wide and central Three Lions positions.
Kobbie Mainoo
The teenager has proved a sensation in United’s midfield this season and is already being compared to legendary names like Clarence Seedorf.
Mainoo has 16 first-team appearances this season and recently scored a last-gasp winner against Aston Villa.
Many predict Mainoo will have a similar rise to Jude Bellingham and are already pitting the two to form a formidable partnership.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
