Stuart Pearce believes Kobbie Mainoo could be England's modern-day version of Paul Gascoigne at Euro 2024 this summer.
The Manchester United star has enjoyed a terrific start to his club career, having flourished at Old Trafford last season.
Mainoo played a key role as United won the FA Cup last month, scoring in the 2-1 final win over Manchester City at Wembley.
He is widely expected to be part of Gareth Southgate's 26-man squad for this summer's European Championships as England look to finally win the trophy for the very first time.
England star Kobbie Mainoo has been compared to Paul Gascoigne ahead of Euro 2024 this summer
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And Pearce, speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest Euro 2024 betting, believes Mainoo can make the same impact as Gascoigne.
Gazza famously lit up Euro 96 with his flair and charisma, becoming a national hero in the process.
Pearce, who played alongside the England legend, sees similarities between the pair.
“Kobbie Mainoo could end up being England’s unexpected star player at Euro 2024, which often happens in these major tournaments," he said.
“In my time we had the likes of Des Walker and David Platt who enhanced their reputations, even Paul Gascoigne.
“Mainoo has to take everything in his stride having been arguably the best player in the FA Cup final, he has fit in seamlessly at Manchester United and given the club a huge lift.
“He’s also stepped in for England and taken that in his stride.
"That’s the beauty of English football at the moment, young players get the opportunity and they already look very rounded and very comfortable in the environment.”
Pearce then proceeded to name his England XI for the Euros.
He believes Harry Maguire should start at the back, despite his inconsistent form for United.
And he thinks Mainoo should accompany Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice in the middle of the park.
“There have been some injuries for Harry Maguire and John Stones, but with everyone fit I’d go for Jordan Pickford in goal, Kyle Walker right back and I haven’t seen anyone that can break up the Stones and Maguire partnership," he added.
“Maguire has divided opinion but he has got major tournament experience and he hasn’t let England down when he’s played.
“In midfield, you have to go with Declan Rice in the middle, Jude Bellingham behind Harry Kane with Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden on the wing.
“There is another midfield slot alongside Rice and I think at this moment in time it goes to Kobbie Mainoo who has done extremely well for United.
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Stuart Pearce believes England must start Kobbie Mainoo at the European Championships this summer
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“It’s a youthful XI with a team of players all in good form and Southgate has the option of playing someone like Mainoo or leaving Rice on his own and going for another attacking player, potentially in Cole Palmer.
“He could also play both Bellingham and Foden central and use another wide player, a mould that fits Jack Grealish although he hasn’t been in the best of form.”
Most fans would love to see Foden play as a No 10 for England, having scored 27 goals playing in that position for City last season.
Yet Pearce thinks the England star is better-suited to playing on the wing instead.
“The argument for Bellingham over Foden comes from scoring goals in that central position, not that Foden doesn’t, but Bellingham is also more adept at dropping deeper over the course of a game if he needs to knot things together," he said.
“Foden prefers to play higher up the pitch and also stay higher up the pitch, whereas Bellingham has a physical presence which helps arriving in the box to join Harry Kane.
Jude Bellingham must start as a No 10 for England at Euro 2024, according to Stuart Pearce
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“If Bellingham was put on the left hand side and Foden was the number 10, a lot of people would raise eyebrows and say that it doesn't look a good fit, but it is a brilliant problem to have for Gareth Southgate.
“Foden has played centrally a lot this season but he is more used to playing out wide.
"We got two outstanding young talents in European football that any nation going to the Euros would be absolutely delighted to have in their squad.
“So you're just going to have to work out a system that fits them, sometimes when you go to a tournament as I found out, things just fit into place.
"Maybe it will be two number 10s.”
