Manchester United starlet, Chelsea maestro and Real Madrid target – Five England youngsters in Euro 2024 contention
England's ever-growing conveyor belt of young talent could be set to shine at Euro 2024 should Gareth Southgate shake up his squad.
The Three Lions are one of the favourites to win the European Championship this summer in their bid to end 58 years of hurt.
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Southgate is no stranger to putting his trust in youth, with Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden tipped for key roles in Germany.
And many more youngsters have been standout players for their respective clubs in the Premier League this season.
Now could be the time to cast aside some of England's more experienced players that are now struggling to assert themselves in the senior squad.
With many of his regulars also plagued by inconsistent form, Southgate could be tempted to select inexperienced and uncapped players.
READ MORE ON EURO 2024
Sven-Goran Eriksson famously called up Theo Walcott to his 2006 World Cup squad when the Arsenal winger was just 17.
And here talkSPORT.com takes a look at the five options Southgate may turn to as England look to win a first European Championship.
Anthony Gordon
The oldest player on this list at 23-years-old, the Newcastle winger was named as the Player of the Tournament at last year's Under-21 Euros.
A key player in the Young Lions' success, the Liverpudlian has starred for the Magpies this season.
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Many doubted his quality when the Toon forked out £45m to sign him from Everton last season, but he has shown why he demanded such a fee.
He has chipped in with 11 goals and ten assists in all competitions where he has scored against Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, United and Chelsea.
Former England defender Phil Jagielka names the starting eleven he thinks Gareth Southgate should pick at Euro 2024
Kobbie Mainoo
From the oldest player in contention to the youngest, Mainoo has been nothing short of sensational since breaking into the Manchester United team.
Thrust into the line-up by Erik ten Hag amid a midfield injury crisis, the 18-year-old is now one of the first names on the team sheet.
He's already been fast-tracked into the squad and played against Brazil and Belgium in the last international break.
Walcott recently issued Southgate some words of advice should he select Mainoo in an interview with talkSPORT.
But the midfielder has shown he has the talent to slot seamlessly into the senior set-up - as shown by his stunning solo effort against Wolves.
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Cole Palmer
England - and Chelsea fans - will be left shocked if Under-21 Euros champ Palmer isn't named in the squad.
A £40m arrival from Manchester City last summer, the 21-year-old has a made a mockery of his price tag, with the transfer looking more like a bargain with every passing game.
Palmer has two England caps but hasn't appeared once this season, although he was on the bench against Belgium.
He end the season with 22 Premier League goals and 11 assists, which should guarantee him a spot on the plane.
Capable of playing as a No.10 or on the wings, Palmer would provide the perfect back-up option for Saka and Foden, and you wouldn't be shocked if he started in Germany either.
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Jarrad Branthwaite
The 21-year-old, another member of the Under-21 Euros-winning side, hasn't looked back since forcing his way into the Everton team since coming back from his loan spell at PSV.
Having started on the bench in the opening two top-flight matches, he has been an almost ever-present.
His incredible form has led to Real Madrid to keep tabs on him, with boss Carlo Ancleotti a huge admirer having handed him his Toffees debut.
Manchester United also have him on their radar, with the centre-back seemingly destined for a big move in the near future.
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Harvey Elliott
The fourth member on this list that helped England win Under-21 glory last year in the tournament co-hosted by Georgia and Romania.
Still just 21 years old, Elliott is a key member of the Liverpool side who were contenders for much of the season.
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Elliott, who played all 120 minutes of the Carabao Cup final win over Chelsea, has featured in 53 games in all competitions.
Deployed as a central midfielder, No.10 and on the wing his versatility leaves him as a viable option for Southgate, with Elliott surely on the cusp of a senior debut.
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Euro 2024 Odds (with talkSPORT BET)
To lift the trophy:
England - 3/1
France - 7/2
Germany - 5/1
Portugal - 8/1
Spain - 9/1
Italy - 18/1
Netherlands - 18/1
Belgium - 18/1
*odds subject to change
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