Gary Neville has shared his support with an Arsenal icon over a controversial idea on what to do with Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka for England.
The Three Lions just about claimed top spot in the Euro 2024 group as Gareth Southgate now looks towards this Sunday’s round of 16 clash with England, where optimism around supporters of winning the tournament is at an all-time low.
A disappointing 0-0 draw with Slovenia having already drawn 1-1 with Denmark was just enough to see England progress to the next round as group winners, though performances from the likes of Declan Rice were criticised by the English media.
And Neville has now suggested something controversial surrounding Saka for the next round.
Neville agrees with Ian Wright in playing Arsenal’s Saka at left-back
Speaking on ITV’s coverage of the match, Neville voiced his support on England playing Saka at left-back, something Ian Wright also agreed with after watching Kieran Trippier struggle in the position against Slovenia.
With Tony Cottee making a similar claim, it’s clear that there’s a growing movement of sort for Saka to start at left-back in the knockout stages of the Euros, a position the winger has played for club and country.
READ MORE: Everything to know on Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka from his age, parents and house
Neville said when asked what England should to solve their issues down the left-hand side: “I think that it would be brilliant to see Bukayo Saka at left-back but I think Gareth Southgate won’t do that.
“What you may get him to do is put Walker as left-back and put Trent on the right who is a brilliant user of the ball on the right-hand side. Having Tripper and Walker on either side means we’re blocking a little bit both sides and I think having Trent on one side is the best we’re going to get.”
Saka at left-back would solve one problem but create another
Saka is arguably one of England’s most important players, with the attacker assisting Jude Bellingham in the opening group stage game of the Euros whilst also impressing in patches against Denmark, with the winger also scoring a disallowed goal against Slovenia.
And whilst Saka would be a more suitable option at left-back than Trippier, moving the Arsenal winger into the defence will create another problem, that being England losing a vital attacking outlet.
Indeed, although Cole Palmer impressed in the position are replacing Saka, there’s no denying that the Arsenal star is the right-winger England need to stick with, with the attacker too important to be chopped and changed.
Arsenal winners and losers at Euro 2024
In this week’s episode, Will Jones and Rahul Lakhani discussed the first few days of the European Championships. With Arsenal players such as Kai Havertz and Kieran Tierney experiencing mixed starts to the tournament, the pair assessed which Gunners were the winners and losers from the group stages so far.
There was some talk about transfers based off the Euros, with Arsenal-linked Amadou Onana’s display for Belgium discussed, whilst Leandro Trossard’s poor performance was analysed, and Bukayo Saka’s sensational England showing lauded.