RIO FERDINAND reckons Gareth Southgate should deploy Bukayo Saka at LEFT BACK against Denmark.
Kieran Trippier was forced to swap wings and fill in for the injured Luke Shaw in England’s Euro 2024 opener against Serbia but is a doubt for Thursday’s match.
First-choice left-back Shaw is doubtful for the dust-up with the Danes, with his absence prompting former Three Lions defender Ferdinand to call for Saka to fill the void left by the Manchester United man.
During the latest episode of his Vibe with Five podcast, he said: “If Shaw’s not fit then 100 per cent, we’re bang in trouble.
“We would have to put Saka at left-back. I’d play Saka at left-back then I would.
“If you ain’t got Shaw and you ain’t got Trippier then I would play Saka at left-back.
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“I’d play it where as soon as we get possession Saka is a left winger.”
Saka, of course, initially broke into Arsenal’s first-team as a left back – filling in for Sead Kolasinac – in 2018.
The then 18-year-old impressed former manager Unai Emery and would eventually become a permanent fixture in the starting XI in a more advanced role.
Saka shone at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup playing on the right wing and cutting inside with his wand of a left foot.
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By Tom Barclay
BUKAYO SAKA feels it is his responsibility to help England’s less experienced players – despite being just 22.
The Arsenal winger is competing in his THIRD major tournament already and earned his 34th cap in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Serbia.
He does not feel like a veteran but is aware of the role he can play given 12 of Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad are at their first major tournament this summer in Germany.
Gunners star Saka told ITV Football: “No, I don’t feel like a veteran. I think I’ve got a lot to improve on and a long way to go.
“But I do feel like I have a lot more experience now and especially in the team, I have a bit more experience than some other players.
“So it’s my responsibility to help the players coming in.”
Marc Guehi made his major-tournament bow with his assured display against the Serbs.
Conor Gallagher, Jarrod Bowen and Kobbie Mainoo also made debuts at this level when coming off the bench in Gelsenkirchen.
Chelsea man Gallagher does have tournament experience having gone to the 2022 Qatar World Cup, but did not actually play a minute.
While squad-members Adam Wharton, Eberechi Eze, Joe Gomez, Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins, Anthony Gordon, Cole Palmer, Lewis Dunk and Ivan Toney are all at their first one.
Saka, who played at the last Euros and in Doha two years ago, added: “It’s about making everyone feel comfortable, speaking to everyone and making everyone feel included and helping create an environment where they feel like they can express themselves and be confident.
“Everyone is here because they are exceptional at football.”
Saka’s first major tournament came at Euro 2020, which was delayed by a year due to Covid.
England came so close to triumphing but lost out to Italy in the final on a penalty shootout, with Saka one of the Three Lions players to miss his spot-kick.
He played in that campaign with a maturity that belied his teenage years – but feels he is on a different level now.
Saka, who has 28 goal involvements in his 34 caps (11 goals, 17 assists), added: “I’d say I’ve matured a lot, on and off the pitch.
“Of course, my game has gone to another level. I feel like I’m a better player as well.
“(Looking back, the overriding feeling from Euro 2020 is) still disappointment at losing a final.
“But we’ve gained experience from that and are hoping to go one step further.”
Arsenal academy product Saka feels his dribbling, finishing and work-rate are his strong points – but is still working on his heading.
He dovetailed beautifully with Jude Bellingham on Sunday, teeing up the Real Madrid superstar to head home the only goal of the game in the first 13 minutes.
Saka has played with the 20-year-old for almost the last four years now, as his one and only Under-21s cap was alongside Bellingham in a 6-0 win in Kosovo in September 2020.
Yet even the Gunners winger has been blown away by what Bellingham has achieved this term, winning La Liga, the Champions League and the Spanish league’s player of the year.
Asked to sum up the ex-Borussia Dortmund man, who was sublime against Serbia, in one word, Saka replied: “Wow.
“Since he was 17, he was always so mature. He just knew how to carry himself on and off the pitch.
“What he’s done this season has been special.
“So I would say, yeah, I was a bit taken aback because 20 years old, going to Madrid and doing what he’s done, it’s unbelievable.
“But it’s no surprise when you know him as a person.”
An attack of Saka, Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane has England fans salivating if the latter two can produce what are capable of after quiet displays in Gelsenkirchen.
Saka summed up that excitement when discussing the awesome foursome by simply saying: “Everything is possible with that.”
The 22-year-old tormented Serbia left-back Strahinja Pavlovic throughout the first half of the Three Lions’ Group C opener and set up Jude Bellingham’s 13th-minute winner.
Ferdinand said of the winger’s display: “I thought Saka was really good.
“First 45, the wing-play he showed… you know what I liked about it? He mixed it up.
“He didn’t always come inside. He went on the outside a couple of times.
“The defender didn’t know which way he was going to go but second half, when they put pressure on us, that was the problem.
“We didn’t respond well to that.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
