Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon made his feelings clear when Bukayo Saka was taken off during England 0-0 Slovenia.
England were once again uninspired as they toiled to a 0-0 draw against Slovenia in their final group stage game of Euro 2024 on Tuesday evening.
As the 0-0 result between Denmark and Slovenia played into the Three Lions’ hands, Gareth Southgate’s side have progressed to the knockout rounds of the competition as group winners. However, vast improvement is needed if the team are to go deep into the tournament.
Ahead of this match, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice called on the English media to get behind the team. However, the players did nothing to silence their critics with their performance against Slovenia.
England were once again tepid in attack, and slow to progress the ball up the pitch. Bukayo Saka was named in the starting XI, on the right flank, and sought to make an impact, but could not ultimately change the game.
A huge part of the reason for Saka’s struggles is based in what is happening around him. The 22-year-old does not share any natural chemistry on the pitch with right-back Kyle Walker. All too often in the match, the Manchester City man played passes to Saka that forced him to check his run or adjust his positioning in order to receive the ball. This meant that the Hale End academy graduate’s momentum was halted, and any advantage he might have enjoyed was lost.
Equally, Jude Bellingham scarcely came across to combine with Saka on his side of the field, which meant that England struggled to create overloads and openings in that part of the pitch.
Lee Dixon celebrated Cole Palmer’s introduction after Arsenal star Bukayo Saka was taken off for England
Many Arsenal fans felt that Saka was one of England’s better players against Slovenia. He was also able to find the back of the net in the first half. However, his strike was swiftly ruled out due to an offside infringement by Phil Foden during the build up.
None of that is to say that Saka can’t do more himself. He has often produced moments of magic by himself when playing under Mikel Arteta in an Arsenal shirt, but he has not been able to replicate his club form for his country so far this summer.
The 36-cap international was taken off with 70 minutes on the clock, replaced by Chelsea attacker Cole Palmer.
At this point, Arsenal icon Lee Dixon, commentating on the match for ITV (25/06/2024, 21:40), said: “We know what this lad is all about. Just get Cole Palmer on the ball. I think Janza is in for a different type of game now.”
These comments may well have frustrated many Arsenal fans who will have felt that Saka was starved of the kind of service that Dixon was encouraging the team to provide for Palmer.
What next for Arsenal ace Saka at Euro 2024?
Former England striker Wayne Rooney has already claimed that Saka is in danger of losing his starting berth at Euro 2024. There may well be some truth to this, not that that would necessarily be the right move for Southgate to make.
Saka has not been England’s problem. The fact that the team are not set up to coax the best out of him is certainly an issue though.
