Gary Lineker names three youngsters he would take to Euro 2024

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 bid for glory in Germany when the competition kicks off on June 14 and pundits have already been debating who would make their final squads if they were in charge of the team.

Southgate will have a number of dilemmas with a handful of players either injured or out of form - while the tournament may come too soon for some younger stars hoping to catch the manager's eye.

But Lineker - who hosts The Rest is Football podcast - believes three youth stars in particular should be on the plane this summer after being quizzed by a fan.

A supporter had asked the Match of the Day presenter which three uncapped players he would take if the decision was up to him on a Reddit Q&A for his podcast.

'Blimey, I’ve been put on the spot there,' he said. '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.'

His next pick was a player who has already collected two England caps - but said he was a worthy mention as a youngster who has been impressing this season.

'I know Cole Palmer's already been 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,' he added.

His third choice was a Man United teenager who has broken into the first team this term and has a real shot of being picked after a superb campaign under manager Erik ten Hag.

'I will go with Kobbie Mainoo as the other one, because he has impressed me so much. 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.'

Everton defender Branthwaite has played 26 times in all competitions for the Toffees this season, starting 22 Premier League games as a crucial part of the team battling to keep their heads afloat after receiving a ten-point deduction.

The 21-year-old has represented the Three Lions at both Under-20 level and Under-21 and he was part of the squad that won the 2023 European Championship at that level after beating Spain.

Palmer - who was also in that Under-21-winning side - has played in two England games, 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 enjoying a superb campaign for Chelsea in his first major season in the Premier League as a starting player - scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists this season.

As for Mainoo, he has been winning huge plaudits after his breakthrough season at Old Trafford and winning a starting spot in midfield under Ten Hag.

Amid a turbulent campaign for United, Mainoo has stepped up to deliver some confident and mature displays, starting 11 times in the league and scoring once.