Bukayo Saka has started on the right-wing in all of England’s Euro 2024 games (Photo: Getty)
Paul Scholes has hit out at ‘Arsenal legends’ for suggesting Bukayo Saka play at left-back to help turnaround England’s Euro 2024 campaign.
The Three Lions haven’t been at their best at the Euros so far, winning just one of their three group games and scoring just twice.
Nevertheless, they have topped Group C and will now take on Slovakia in the last 16 on Sunday evening.
One of the team’s biggest problems has been the continued absence of Luke Shaw as he recovers from injury, which has meant that right-back Kieran Trippier has had to fill in at left-back.
As a result, they lack natural width down that side, with Trippier unable to provide any additional attacking support, something that has had a knock-on effect on the performances of Phil Foden.
With no other natural left-backs in the squad, this problem will persist until Shaw returns, which has led to some to suggest moving the left-footed Saka into that position.
The 22-year-old did used to play there at the beginning of his career but has not done so for several seasons after establishing himself as one of the best right-wingers in the world.
Could Saka fill in at left-back while Luke Shaw is out? (Photo: Getty)
Arsenal and England legend Ian Wright was perhaps the most prominent pundit to suggest the switch, though his comments earned the ire of Gunners fans, and they weren’t alone with Scholes now ridiculing the idea.
The Manchester United and Three Lions icon wrote on his Instagram story: ‘Making me piss these Arsenal legends trying to get Saka in at left-back because they’re afraid he’s gonna be left out for [Cole] Palmer,’ accompanied by a laughing emoji.
It should be noted however, that Wright wasn’t the first person to suggest the Saka swap, with Scholes’ former United teammate Rio Ferdinand actually putting forward the idea after the opening game against Serbia.
Kieran Trippier’s struggles at left-back have also affected Phil Foden’s form (Photo: Getty)
There has been suggestion Saka could be dropped for the Slovakia clash in favour of Palmer who had a lively impact off the bench in the last match against Slovenia.
Another tactical change that many fans and pundits have called for is to move Jude Bellingham from his No.10 role into a deeper position, something Gareth Southgate is reluctant to do as it would leave Declan Rice as the only defensive midfielder.
Scholes has bucked the trend in this regard, simply adding: ‘Keep hearing drop Bellingham back next to Rice… piss right off!’
It remains to be seen what changes, if any, Southgate makes to his line-up, with Kobbie Mainoo expected to start instead of Conor Gallagher, while Palmer and Anthony Gordon could come in for Saka and Foden.
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Source:: Metro
