Bukayo Saka has responded to Ian Wright’s suggestion for Gareth Southgate to move Arsenal’s starboy to left-back for England.
The Gunners legend experienced a bit of a backlash over his proposed solution to bring balance to the Three Lions’ starting XI at Euro 2024.
Saka has been a regular starter in Germany so far, playing all three group stage matches on the right-side of an attacking trio.
But with a crunch clash with Slovakia coming up in the last-16, Southgate is coming under pressure for his team selection.
Possessing a fierce left foot, Saka likes to cut inside and cause problems in more central areas – something he did with resounding success for Arsenal last season, scoring 20 goals and offering 13 assists.
While England are blessed with attacking talent, their options at left-back have been somewhat limited at the European Championship.
Luke Shaw‘s fight to return to fitness after being out of action since February has seen Kieran Trippier tasked with slotting in on the left side of the defence – but his reliance on his favoured right foot has inadvertently contributed to a lack of balance in the side.
While Shaw has hinted he could be ready to return against Slovakia on Sunday, Wright was one of a few of pundits to suggest Saka could be sacrificed and used as a left-back, having played there on a number of occasions in previous years.
This was put to Saka himself in an interview with talkSPORT on Friday, where he revealed which position he’d prefer to play and said he trusts Southgate to make the right decision.
“I think we should trust Gareth and leave the decision to him – yeah, believe in him and the team,” he told talkSPORT’s England correspondent Faye Carruthers.
4
Speaking on ITV after the 0-0 draw with Slovenia, Gary Neville started the debate, saying: “I think that it would be brilliant to see Bukayo Saka at left-back but I think Gareth Southgate won’t do that.
“What you may get him to do is put Kyle Walker as left-back and put Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right who is a brilliant user of the ball on the right-hand side.”
Arsenal legend Wright – a huge supporter of Saka – agreed, adding: “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.”
But it appears Saka is not a big fan of the idea.
4
4
He added to talkSPORT: “I feel more comfortable on the right and I think that’s where I play best.
“A lot of the time it’s about coming in on my stronger foot, being able to link up with players, playing passes and taking shots – stuff like that.
“It’s when I’m at my best so that’s why I think it’s my best position.”
talkSPORT is bringing you live commentary of EVERY game at Euro 2024. Tune in via the website or the app, and follow our live Euro 2024 blog for all the latest news, views and reaction to the big moments.