Luckily for the Hale-End star, he isn’t the only one because the performances of his nation at this summer’s European Championships have been pretty abject. England secured a lucky 2-1 extra-time win over Slovakia on Sunday to progress to the last eight, with Arsenal’s star winger playing the entire match....Read The Full Story Here ▶
Leading up to the game, there have been many calls for Saka to deploy a different role for his country.
Those people got their wish after an hour against Slovakia because Gareth Southgate pushed Saka to left-back when he brought Cole Palmer into the action.
During the game, Sam Allardyce was critical of Saka and how he wasn’t doing enough to service his starved striker Harry Kane.
The England captain eventually scored the winner in extra-time when Ivan Toney flicked his header on for Kane to head home.
But Allardyce delivered some harsh truths about Saka and how he needs to ‘get away’ from receiving the ball at feet if he isn’t going to beat his man, as he told Sky Sports News (30/06/24 at 6:50 pm).
The one-time England boss wanted Saka to push forward instead and allow right-back Kyle Walker to deploy that space.
England beat Slovakia at Euro 2024
“Harry Kane can only produce what he is producing by the amount of creativity from the players behind him and the amount of service we can give him,” said Allardyce.
“We are seeing it breakdown before we can see it play off Harry – we have to keep more of that ball and change the way we are playing. I keep going on about Saka. He’s receiving the ball to feet. He needs to create enough space so he can turn and run at the full-back.
“If he isn’t doing that, then he needs to get away and get out of it, so Kyle Walker can come into that space, then Saka would be further up the field.”
Bukayo Saka needs to be trusted
Class is permanent for a reason, but there will still be many calling for Saka to be dropped and for Chelsea’s Cole Palmer to start.
Gary Neville has spoken about there now being a ‘clamour’ for others to be given a chance as England remain unconvincing at Euro 2024.
What’s interesting about the left-back spot is that Luke Shaw isn’t ready, Kieran Trippier went off injured, so will Saka now start there for the last eight game? There is a chance.
The issue for Saka is that he isn’t performing and there is so much quality on the bench, so fans are going to call for those players to now start.
