July 9th 2024.
Bukayo Saka received the well-deserved title of man of the match for his impressive performance against Switzerland in England's recent game. Ian Wright, a former player for Arsenal, expressed his understanding of the loyalty that Arsenal fans have for Saka, as they defended him against Wright's suggestion that he should be chosen as a left-back by England's coach, Gareth Southgate.
England's journey to the semi-finals of Euro 2024 has been met with criticism, as their previous five matches have been underwhelming. Wright had even proposed that Saka, who had been playing as a right wingback, might need to step in as a makeshift left-back to save England from their struggling defense. This came after Luke Shaw's injury had forced Kieran Trippier to take on an unfamiliar position, causing a lack of attack from the left side.
However, in their recent quarter-final game against Switzerland, Saka was given a new role as a rampaging right wingback. He took full advantage of this opportunity and delivered an outstanding performance, scoring England's equalizer and displaying impressive composure during the tense penalty shootout.
Wright's comments had also stirred up some controversy among Arsenal fans, as he suggested that Saka should be replaced by Chelsea's Cole Palmer. But Wright clarified that his reasoning was only because Saka has proven to be a versatile player, having played in three different positions in just one game. He also acknowledged the fierce loyalty that Arsenal fans have for Saka and their desire to protect him.
Despite England's improvements in their last game, Wright believes that there is still more to come from the team as they reach the crucial stages of the tournament. He remains optimistic about their chances as he sees the potential for players like Phil Foden, Saka, Jude Bellingham, and Harry Kane to step up their game. He also pointed out how the return of Shaw would bring balance to the team's attack, as he can overlap with Foden if he cuts inside.
As for England's future, Wright sees the stars aligning for them as they continue their journey in the tournament. He believes that they still have more to offer and that they will not regress to their previous underwhelming performances.
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