Ian Wright has urged Gareth Southgate to bring Cole Palmer into the England squad… even if it means deploying Bukayo Saka at left-back to accommodate the Chelsea star.
England toiled to a goalless draw against Slovenia in their final Group C match on Tuesday evening – a result which was good enough to secure qualification for the knockout stages as group winners.
Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Saka were among those who again struggled to replicate their club form but there were promising signs off the bench with Kobbie Mainoo, Anthony Gordon and Palmer all impressing after entering the fray.
Palmer replaced Saka after 70 minutes with former Manchester United captain Roy Keane believing Southgate will now be ‘under huge pressure’ to start the Chelsea star on Sunday in Gelsenkirchen.
Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright is also hoping to see Palmer start, but with Bellingham, Foden and Saka also in the side, there is a big decision to make over who would make way.
England also have problems at left-back with Luke Shaw, who has not played any football since February, still not fit having missed Sunday’s game. Kieran Trippier has started both games so far in Germany in that role but is not a naturally left-footed player.
Saka has experience taking up that role at youth level for England having also played there early on in his Arsenal career.
And Wright believes a positional change for Saka could ‘activate’ England’s attack down the left.
‘As great as Saka has done for England in terms of what he creates and his goals and assists, he is a natural left sided player.
‘He started playing for England on the left at youth level, he started at Arsenal on the left. If that’s going to give you the balance and gets you Cole Palmer in the team, it’s something you have to at least look at.
‘Yes, Kyle Walker can play there [at left-back], it’s the same situation where you have the player coming inside, you have no one going around. He’s a natural left-footer Saka, we could activate the whole left side.’
Palmer will hope to force his way into the side on Sunday along with Mainoo, who replaced Conor Gallagher in midfield at half-time.
‘Me and Cole, we are ready,’ Mainoo told ITV. ‘We are ready like the rest of the lads are for when we are called upon. We train hard and when we get our chances we try to impress and help the team as much as possible.’
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