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Gary Lineker has named three youngsters he would put on the plane to Euro 2024 as Gareth Southgate prepares to select his England squad for the tournament this summer.
The Three Lions will battle for honors in Germany when the competition kicks off on June 14. Pundits have already debated who would make their final selection if they were in charge of the team.
Southgate will face a number of dilemmas with a handful of players injured or out of form – while the tournament may come too soon for a number of younger stars hoping to catch the manager’s eye.
But Lineker – presenter of the podcast The Rest is Football – believes that three youth stars in particular should be on a plane this summer after being questioned by a fan.
A supporter had asked the Match of the Day host which three uncapped players he would take if the decision were up to him during a Reddit Q&A for his podcast.
Gary Lineker has named the three youngsters he would take in his England squad for Euro 2024
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate has a huge decision to make over who he takes to Germany
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“Damn, I was put on the spot,” he said. ‘I think Everton’s Branthwaite might have a chance. It’s just part of the team that Gareth could get to give someone a chance.”
His next choice was a player who already has two England caps to his name, but who he said was a worthy mention as a youngster who has impressed this season.
“I know 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,” he added.
His third choice was a Man United teenager who broke into the first team this season and has a good chance of being selected after an excellent season under manager Erik ten Hag.
‘I’m going for Kobbie Mainoo as the other one, because he impressed me so much. I mean, he’s so young, I think he’s only 18. So to do what he does is quite remarkable at a club like Manchester United. So I think he might be sneaking in.”
Lineker said United star Kobbie Mainoo (L) and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite (R) are two youth players he would pick
Although Cole Palmer already has two England caps to his name, Lineker said the Chelsea man had a real chance of being picked
Everton defender Branthwaite has made 26 appearances in all competitions for the Toffees this season, starting 22 Premier League games as a crucial part of the team fighting to stay afloat after being deducted from ten points.
The 21-year-old has represented the Three Lions at both Under-20 and Under-21 level and was part of the squad that won the 2023 European Championship at that level after beating Spain.
Palmer – who was also part of the Under-21 winning side – featured in two games for England, in a 2-0 win over Malta in November and a 1-1 draw against North Macedonia three days later.
The former Man City playmaker is having a fantastic season for Chelsea in his first big season as a Premier League starter. He scored twelve goals and provided eight assists this season.
As for Mainoo, he has received plenty of praise after his breakthrough season at Old Trafford and securing a starting spot in midfield under Ten Hag.
In the midst of a turbulent season for United, Mainoo has done his best to put in some confident and mature performances. He started eleven times in the competition and scored once.