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Topics: Kobbie Mainoo, Everton, Manchester United, Gareth Southgate, England, Euro 2024
Matthew Holt
Topics: Kobbie Mainoo, Everton, Manchester United, Gareth Southgate, England, Euro 2024
Gary Lineker believes Gareth Southgate should consider his options for Euro 2024 and select two young uncapped stars who have impressed this season.
The Three Lions boss is set to face something of a dilemma in the next few weeks, as he begins to finalise plans for his England squad for the upcoming European Championships.
But it is the performances of two players in particular that have caught Lineker's eye over recent weeks, both of which continue to do so for Everton and Manchester United respectively.
"Blimey, I’ve been put on the spot there," he began, speaking via The Rest is Football podcast.
"I think maybe Branthwaite from Everton, I think he's got a chance. It's just an area of the team that Gareth might get to give someone a chance."
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Branthwaite, who spent last season on loan at PSV, has featured heavily for Sean Dyche's side this season and has missed just three Premier League games for the Toffees all season.
"I will go with Kobbie Mainoo as the other one, because he has impressed me so much," added Lineker.
"I mean, he's so young, I think he's just 18. So to do what he's doing is quite remarkable at a club like Manchester United. So I think he might sneak in."
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Mainoo, who himself has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign, has been another who has caught the eye given his performances for Erik ten Hag's side.
The 18-year-old, however, is yet to fully comment on his international allegiances, with Ghana also said to be interested in calling him up should he select the Black Stars.
Mainoo has already played at Under-17, 18 and 19 level for the Three Lions but with his future still to be decided, it does seem unlikely at this stage that Southgate will call up on him this summer in Germany.