Aleksandr Golovin: Roy Hodgson’s side on red alert over rising star ahead of England vs Russia

England will be hoping they are not on the receiving end of the ice-cool talent of Russia’s rising star Aleksandr Golovin tomorrow night.

The speed of the 20-year-old’s rise to prominence is similar to that of England’s own young crown jewel, Dele Alli. But while the Tottenham midfielder had not even played in the Premier League this time last year, Golovin made his professional debut for CSKA Moscow 15 months ago.

The creative midfielder spent three seasons in CSKA’s academy first, but was being tipped as a player to watch in Russia after helping the Under-17s win the 2013 European Championship and the Under-19s reach the final two years later. He also found the net on his first two senior appearances for his country against Belarus and Lithuania.

The ease in which he climbed through the ranks did not take former Russia Under-21 coach Dmitri Khmukha by surprise. “His basic technique, passing and understanding of game situations, that was what marked him out from his peers,” he said.

Golovin, who confesses to modelling his game on Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil, said: “I can play in any position in attack, but the playmaker role is my favourite.”

England will certainly not want to find out why.