Former Arsenal star Theo Walcott had a word of warning for England’s next teenage star having walked that road before.
Gareth Southgate has some tough decisions to make ahead of the Euros this summer – the first being who is going to be on the plane to Germany.
And that includes picking a wildcard choice in Kobbie Mainoo, who has broken into the Manchester United side and looks a real gem.
There have been calls to include the 18-year-old in the squad this summer, including from former England international Gary Lineker.
But one player has warned not to rush the teenager’s development – and he knows a thing or two about that after being named in England’s 2006 World Cup squad at the age of 16.
“I didn’t have any experience in the Premier League as well,” he told talkSPORT reporter Ian Abrahams at the London Football Awards on Thursday.
“It is very different but he is starting to establish himself at one of, if not, the biggest clubs in the world.
“For me, from what I’ve seen of him as well and going off my experiences, obviously we are quick to jump on new talents coming through, but he is exceptional, he really is.
“But let’s dampen the expectations just a little bit because as a man of experience who went to a World Cup at a young age, didn’t play, the eyes are on you.
“And they always will be on you. But for me, he is going to be knocking on that door pretty soon.”
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Mainoo has made 12 appearances in the Premier League this season, scoring his first goal for the Red Devils against Wolves last month.
That came in the final minute of play in an exhilarating 4-3 win for United with the midfielder weaving in between players before dispatching an accurate shot into the corner.
It showed the youngster’s immense talent – something that Walcott also had as a youngster.
But when the former Arsenal star, aged 17 at the time, joined up with the England squad at the 2006 World Cup – coincidentally also in Germany – he did not play a single minute.
“I wouldn’t say it helped or hindered [going to a World Cup at 17,” Walcott added.
“I got a lot of experience from that. I have said in the past I should not have gone, I hadn’t even played in the Premier League.
“That was not my choice, other people made that decision and I had to deal with it.
“And at the tender age of just turned 17 so yeah, it was very different then, let’s put it that way.”
