‘He might sneak in’ – Lineker tips three asterisks to make England’s European Championship team
GARY LINEKER revealed the three young England stars he is tipping to be part of Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024.
Southgate will make his final selection just before the tournament kicks off in Germany in June.
And England legend Lineker was asked which players – who have not yet been capped at senior level – he would pick to board the plane.
He continued The rest is football: “Blimey, put me there! I think Everton’s Braithwaite might have a chance.
“I think it’s just part of the team where Gareth can give someone a chance.
“I know that I think Cole Palmer has already been in the England squad and played, so it doesn’t really count. But I think he has a real chance of getting into the team.
“And I’m going for Kobbie Mainoo as the other one, because he impressed me so much. I mean, he’s obviously so young, I think he’s only 18.
“So to do what he does at a club like Man United is quite remarkable, so I think he might sneak in.”
Here, SunSport looks at the budding trio picked by Lineker.
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Jarrad Branthwaite
The 21-year-old defender has emerged as one of the brightest centre-backs in the Premier League and attracted plenty of transfer interest from top clubs.
He played 29 games with two goals to his name and represented England at Under 20 and U21 level.
Southgate has tweaked and changed his centre-backs in recent years, but Branthwaite appears to be a strong new candidate.
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Cole Palmer
The playmaker, 21, has been a rare spark in Chelsea’s dim season so far since joining from Manchester City for £45million.
He has scored 12 goals in his 30 Blues appearances this season and has shown versatility playing on both the right and center.
Palmer has two senior England caps but faces stiff competition in the wide and central Three Lions positions.
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Kobbie Mainoo
The teenager has proved to be a sensation in United’s midfield this season and is already being compared to legendary names such as Clarence Seedorf.
Mainoo has made 16 first-team appearances this season and recently scored a final winner against Aston Villa.
Many predict Mainoo will have a similar rise to Jude Bellingham and are already looking to form a formidable partnership with the two.
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