Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka was shifted to left-back during England’s laborious victory over Slovakia at Euro 2024.
England’s uninspired Euro 2024 form endured into this first knockout round clash against Slovakia on Sunday evening.
The Three Lions were turgid, in the first half especially. Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka once again started for his country, and whilst he made a couple of runs and showed brief flashes of quality, like the rest of his teammates he was unable to make a tangible impact in that first period.
Prior to this match, many Arsenal fans had insisted that Saka had been one of England’s better players at the tournament in Germany. He has not been able to produce anything like the kind of form that he has so regularly shown for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta though.
Gareth Southgate’s side slowly improved in the second half, and around the hour mark, following an injury to Kieran Trippier, Cole Palmer was brought into the fray, forcing Saka to fill in at left-back.
The 22-year-old has played in that role before, of course. In the very early days of his career, just as he broke into the first team at the Emirates Stadium, the Hale End academy graduate was regularly deployed at left-back.
However, he has long since established himself as a winger on the opposite flank and is recognised as one of the best proponents of that position in the Premier League.
Against Slovakia, the 37-cap international looked comfortable after switching positions, but ultimately had little defending to do as England sought to force their way back into the game.
What former Arsenal stars Lee Dixon and Matt Upson thought of Bukayo Saka switching to left-back for England v Slovakia
As Palmer was brought on to the pitch, and Saka was shifted to the backline, Lee Dixon was commentating on the game for ITV (30/06/2024, 18:28). The former Arsenal right-back said: “Needs must. I am not sure he [Saka] is very happy about it.”
Another ex-Arsenal defender, Matt Upson, gave his thoughts on Southgate’s tactical reshuffle, as quoted by BBC Sport: “I totally understand the change. Saka is now next to Marc Guehi in that left-back position.”
Will Arsenal ace Saka play at left-back for England again at Euro 2024?
Prior to this match, Wayne Rooney warned Saka that he was in danger of losing his starting spot for England. Certainly, there is a clamour for Palmer to come into the starting XI. However, if Trippier’s injury has ruled him out for Saturday’s quarter-final clash with Switzerland, then Saka could even start that game at left-back.