Footage emerges of Bukayo Saka shining at left back for Arsenal at youth level after Ian Wright claimed he could play in DEFENCE for England to free up Cole Palmer
- Ian Wright believes Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer should both start for England
- He suggested that Saka could play as a left back, allowing Palmer to line up on the right
- Listen to It all starts! EURO DAILY: England were ‘terrible’, ‘blown things down’ and played like a ‘five-a-side team of kids’
Footage has emerged showing Bukayo Saka starring at Arsenal at left-back, after Ian Wright suggested he could play there for England in the 2024 European Championship.
Saka started all three of the Three Lions’ group matches in Germany and registered an assist for Jude Bellingham in the opening 1–0 win against Serbia.
The winger found the net himself in the drab 0-0 draw against Slovenia last night, but the effort was disallowed after Phil Foden was ruled offside in the build-up.
Gareth Southgate’s side were disappointing despite reaching the last 16 as winners of Group C and calls for Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer to start reached a fever pitch after his impressive cameo during the final 20 minutes in Cologne.
Wright believes Southgate would bring balance to the team by playing both Saka, albeit at left-back above Kieran Trippier, and Palmer on the right flank.
Ian Wright has suggested that Bukayo Saka could play at left-back for England at the 2024 European Championship
Saka impressed in full force in Arsenal’s academy and soon earned promotion to the first team
In light of the Arsenal legend’s comments, several clips of Saka impressing the full-back as a youngster have resurfaced on social media.
The short video shows Saka bombing down the left side, carrying the number 3 on his back, and ghosting past opponents in the center of the field.
Utilizing his mesmerizing dribbling ability, the teenager scored a number of assists and looked an all-round package, all but securing his place in the first team.
Sure enough, Saka caught the eye of then Arsenal boss Unai Emery and was quickly included in the senior line-up as back-up to Sead Kolasinac in 2018.
Ultimately, he would obviously become a regular in the starting line-up in a more advanced role, but Wright claims it could be beneficial to bring him back.
Wright said it would be useful to move Saka to left back and play Cole Palmer on the right
A compilation of Saka impressing as a left-back as a teenager has resurfaced on social media
Saka quickly established himself as an undisputed starter at Arsenal, moving to the wing
“As great as Saka has done for England in terms of what he creates, his goals and assists, he is a natural left-sided player,” Wright said.
“He started playing for England on the left at youth level, he started at Arsenal on the left. If that gives you the balance and you get Cole Palmer in the team, it’s something you should definitely look into.
“Yes, Kyle Walker can play there [at left-back], it’s the same situation where the player walks in and there’s no one around. He is a natural left-footer. Saka, we could activate the entire left side.”
England were chased off the pitch at the final whistle yesterday and Southgate admitted the reactions ‘create an unusual environment’ for his players.
“I understand the story in front of me and that’s better for the team than in front of them,” he said. “But it creates an unusual environment to operate in.”
Southgate, who was also pelted with plastic beer cups, added: ‘I haven’t seen any other team qualify and receive the same. I understand, I’m not going to shy away from it, but I’m very proud of the players and how they operate.’
