Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is set to shine for the England National Team in their European Championships campaign this summer.
The 22-year-old has featured in two tournaments so far, as England reached the Euro final in 2021 and the World Cup quarter-final in 2022, and his influence on Gareth Southgate’s side is growing.
Saka is expected to start in his usual position on the right wing for England, in a deadly attack containing Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham.
The Arsenal talisman is England’s second-top scorer in the entire squad, with Kane the only player to have recorded more than Saka’s 11 International goals.
England have now announced their squad numbers for the tournament, and have sent a clear message over Saka with his allocation.
Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Aaron Ramsdale England squad numbers confirmed
Saka is set to wear the number seven shirt for the first time at a tournament. He has worn this number in friendlies and qualifiers, but was handed the 25 and 17 shirts at the last two tournaments, with Jack Grealish, who has been left out of the squad, previously donning it.
Declan Rice has been handed the number four shirt, which he wore in his two tournaments, and this will be his first since his move to Arsenal from West Ham.
Aaron Ramsdale will again play a backup role to Jordan Pickford, and has been handed the number 13 shirt.
Bukayo Saka following in footsteps of icons with England squad number
Saka already has three World Cup goals to his name, and his shirt number strongly hints that he is set to start the tournament despite some calls for Chelsea’s Cole Palmer to take his place.
The England number seven shirt has previously been worn at tournaments by Arsenal players in David Platt, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere, whilst football icon David Beckham famously wore the shirt for a number of years.
Saka is one of the most high-profile players in the England squad, and has been one of his National Team’s best performers in recent years, and he will hope to take his Arsenal form with him to Germany after another outstanding campaign for Mikel Arteta’s side.