July 7th 2024.
During Euro 2024, two young players, Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer, have been standing out as some of England's brightest stars. According to Micah Richards, Saka's defensive abilities have been the main factor in him being consistently chosen over Palmer by coach Gareth Southgate.
Saka, who plays for Arsenal, had a quiet tournament until the quarter-final match against Switzerland. He was placed in an unfamiliar wing-back position, but proved his worth by putting on a spectacular performance and scoring a sensational goal that kept the Three Lions in the tournament. On the other hand, Palmer showed glimpses of his potential during a brief appearance in the later stages of the match as England searched for an equalizer.
In the end, both players successfully converted their penalties in a 5-3 shootout win that secured England a spot in the semi-finals against Netherlands on Wednesday. Despite Palmer's emergence, Richards is confident that it will be Saka who will get the starting position against the Dutch.
Richards expressed his initial concern when Saka was placed in the wing-back position, fearing that England would adopt a more defensive mindset. However, he was pleasantly surprised by the team's bravery and Saka's impressive performance. He praised Saka's versatility and goal-scoring abilities, stating that he is second only to Harry Kane in terms of importance to the team.
Richards also highlighted Saka's strength and defensive abilities, which he believes are key reasons why Southgate trusts him so much. He acknowledged that there has been a lot of buzz on social media and among fans for Palmer to start, but emphasized the consistency and balance that Saka brings to the team.
Meanwhile, Southgate had nothing but praise for Saka after he confidently stepped up to take a penalty, despite the heartbreaking experience he had in the final against Italy three years ago. The coach even gave Saka a big hug on the pitch, expressing his admiration for the young player's courage and belief in himself.
Southgate also mentioned Saka's overall performance, which he described as exceptional. He highlighted the complexity of Saka's defensive role and his ability to provide an attacking outlet in one-on-one situations. Ultimately, Southgate believes that Saka's immense performance played a crucial role in securing England's victory.
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