JOSE MOURINHO thinks Bukayo Saka will start in the Euro 2020 final.
England take on Italy at Wembley on Sunday evening for the right to be crowned European champions.
And SunSport columnist Mourinho reckons the Arsenal teenager is set to get the nod from Gareth Southgate.
Referencing Carlos Alberto for Porto in 2004, he told talkSPORT: "I played an 18-year-old player in a Champions League final and he is still the youngest player to score in a Champions League final. No problem.
“Of course we coaches normally think about all these details but in the end when we make these kinds of decisions we are sure of what we are doing.
"Southgate had no problem to do that, not only with Saka but also with other players giving them chances to play.
“The kid is proving my experience theory, which is experience has nothing to do with age.
“Experience has a lot to do with the way you think, the way you live, and the kid had a good experience in the best league in the world, in the most competitive league in the world, playing at a big club like Arsenal every weekend.
“He is showing great personality and I don’t think Gareth is going to leave him out.”
Saka came into the starting XI to face Czech Republic and retained his spot against Germany.
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He did not feature against Ukraine after picking up a knock but returned for the Denmark semi-final where he set up the equalising own goal as England came from behind to win 2-1.
Trevor Sinclair hailed Saka's display and believes he deserves to keep his place on Sunday.
The ex-England winger added: "Ask any Arsenal fan, Saka has been outstanding. He's fearless.
"The performances he's put in, the out-to-in runs from the right, coming inside, straight balls, he caused so many problems for Denmark and did brilliantly.
"That's where Raheem's goal came from, he was getting shots off and I thought it was exceptional – for an 18-year-old… brilliant.
"When you are that young and not had any real disappointments in football, it's all been smooth sailing for him. This is a continuation of that.
"Every time he has put the England shirt on, he has never let anyone down. He's always put in a top performance.
"I expect him to start in the final. I think Gareth will keep the same side."
Southgate must decide whether to switch to a back three to match up against Roberto Mancini's side or keep a four-man defence.
Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips are set to start in midfield together with Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane in attack – possibly alongside Saka.
Writing in his SunSport column, Mourinho called on England to go all the way – because losing the final is just not good enough.
The Roma boss said: "The runner-up medal is not a nice one to win.
"If England don’t beat Italy at Wembley on Sunday it will be a double frustration because now it is so close — it’s just about one match.
"Italy are famous for their know-how, pragmatism, and being able to deal with high-pressure situations.
"It will be another massive match but Italy have more potential than Denmark — I can’t wait."
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