Per Mertesacker reveals which England star gave him ‘goosebumps’ as the Arsenal and Germany legend explains why he is backing the Three Lions to go all the way at Euro 2024
It’s not often you see a German cheering on England at a tournament, but with Germany out of the European Championship, that’s exactly what former world champion Per Mertesacker is doing.
Mail Sport met the former Arsenal and Germany centre-back in Berlin, the day after England beat Switzerland on penalties. The 39-year-old revealed he wanted Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka to go all the way.
“With the experience England have had in the last four tournaments, who knows? My favourites are Spain because they play good football and control the games, but I would love to see Bukayo Saka lift the trophy,” said Mertesacker, who is currently Arsenal’s academy manager.
The 1.98m defender has been with Arsenal since 2011 and has watched Saka develop, admitting he got goosebumps watching the 22-year-old score England’s equaliser against Switzerland before converting his penalty in the shoot-out.
“I know Saka very well and with what he has been through, especially three years ago with the abuse, I am so proud of him. I got goosebumps when I saw him,” Mertesacker added.
Per Mertesacker cheered on Germany from the stands earlier this summer during the 2024 European Championship
However, after Germany’s elimination, the 39-year-old Mertesacker is now cheering for England
“When you work closely with someone you know what they are capable of. He can perform and the way he has come back from the abuse to this tournament seems stronger than ever.
‘That says a lot about the English youth academy and the trust a manager like Gareth Southgate has in him, because he knows he can produce world-class moments.’
Does Mertesacker really believe England can win the Euros? As someone who won the World Cup with Germany in 2014, he knows what it will take.
“They’ve been great, haven’t they?” said a laughing Mertesacker. “But they’ve got a great opportunity now. Nothing really surprised me because they’ve got players who understand big moments, so the England fans should be excited.
‘It wasn’t the flowing football that everyone wants to see, but it was great in terms of coming back from behind. That’s what stands out to me. You have to embrace those moments and those players like Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka.’
Mertesacker said he got ‘goosebumps’ watching Bukayo Saka (pictured) last week
Mertesacker has worked with Arsenal’s youth academy since he retired from active football
Mertesacker said Spain were his favourites to win the European Championship, but he backs Saka and Co.
If England beat the Netherlands on Wednesday, they will have a chance of winning the European Championship in Berlin, against their old rivals, just as Germany did in 1996 when they won the final at Wembley.
We ended our conversation by asking Mertesacker whether he would rather see England win the European Championship or Tottenham Hotspur win the Premier League?
“England will win the European Championship,” he replied, without a moment’s hesitation.