YOUNG stars have a history of bursting onto the international scene in an England shirt.
While many nations rely on their experienced players to carry them through to the latter stage of tournaments – that’s different for the Three Lions.
England will be hoping to end their 58-year wait for a trophy at Euro 2024 this summer.
It last came home in 1996 as Sir Geoff Hurst scored a World Cup final hat-trick as Sir Alf Ramsey’s legends beat West Germany 4-2.
Coming into the tournament, the West Ham hero was an international rookie with just one cap to his name.
Hurst earned his second in the 1-0 victory over Argentina in the quarter-final, only a week before his final heroics.
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Martin Peters scored England’s other goal that day and he was an uncapped star on the eve of the 1966 tournament.
At the 1998 World Cup, Michael Owen grabbed the headlines with his unforgettable solo goal against Argentina.
Before heading to France for the tournament, the striker had played just once for England.
Then at Euro 2004, Wayne Rooney was the breakout star as he netted four goals before getting injured as the Three Lions crashed out to Portugal on penalties.
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He did have 11 caps prior to the first match but it was still a huge call by Sven Goran-Eriksson to put his faith in an 18-year-old.
Most recently, England made the final of Euro 2020 as they lost on penalties to Italy.
Bukayo Saka may have missed one of the crucial spot-kicks – but he was an unexpected star of the tournament, forming a frightening front-three with Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling.
Therefore, perhaps Kobbie Mainoo will be the latest wonderkid to be the hero on the biggest stage.
The Manchester United ace was not even called-up to the squad by Gareth Southgate when he first announced his side for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
However, fans are now calling for the 18-year-old late inclusion to start in a midfield trio with Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice at the Euros.
England have have just four games until they kick-off their campaign against Serbia, meaning Mainoo will likely be the least experienced in the squad should he make the cut.
Yet boss Southgate should have no hesitancy to play him as back at Euro 1996, he was an international novice pushed into the side by Terry Venables.
He had appeared in four friendlies games for his country prior to the competition – although it ended in heartbreak as he missed a penalty in shootout defeat to Germany.
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Could Mainoo follow in these ex-players’ footsteps and be this team’s inexperienced sensation?
England always need one.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
