Wright’s recommendation to start Saka in left defence in order to get Palmer on the field has drawn criticism from Scholes.
It will be difficult for Southgate to maximise England’s roster, particularly at left-back and in the midfield.
Declan Rice, the star player for England, was also criticised by Scholes for touching the engine room too often.
Former players’ opinions on the current England team have received a lot of attention. Paul Scholes’ most recent message to Ian Wright, in which he advised deploying Arsenal sensation Bukayo Saka at left-back, has gone viral.
Despite winning Group C, the Three Lions have flattered to deceive against Serbia, Denmark, and Slovenia. Gareth Southgate and co. have failed to get the best out of the England players thus far in Germany.
A well-trained Slovakian team will be the next opponent for Southgate and company in the knockout stages. From the wings to central midfield to left back, the Euro 2020 finalists have many problems to solve if they are to win the championship.
Scholes Calls out Ian Wright for Saka Comment
When Wright was a pundit for Match of the Day on ITV, he advised that Saka be moved back to the left side of the back four, a position he is comfortable with, in order to make room for Cole Palmer, one of the competition’s greatest left-footed players.
“Kieran Trippier is our second-most prolific player in terms of touches and passes, according to a statistic I saw. If that’s the case, I wonder how we’ll integrate Palmer into the team. Given Saka’s inherent left-wing tendencies, is it possible to assign Saka to left back and Palmer to right? just because the game needs to have some balance and smoothness.
Following the aforementioned remarks on Saka, the current star player for the Gunners, Wright was implicitly criticised by the midfielder-turned-pundit who won 11 Premier League titles during his playing career.
Scholes mocked Wright, whom he referred to as a “Arsenal legend,” in his Instagram story for recommending that Saka switch back to left-back instead of Palmer playing on the right side.
Paul Scholes. 👀 pic.twitter.com/IOqjiDM1sT
— Chelsea Dodgers (@TheBlueDodger) June 28, 2024
It is unclear if Southgate will take Wright’s advice and implement an unconventional strategy in the Round of 16, but Saka makes a strong argument that should be taken into account considering that Luke Shaw is recovering from an injury.
The Hale End graduate did indeed begin as a left-back during his breakthrough to Arsenal’s senior team, but he has since matured into one of the best wingers in the country. Although it would be a dangerous move, it might end up being a brilliant one.
The park’s centre is another problem that has to be sorted immediately. Declan Rice, the former West Ham United captain, is the unassailable choice, but it’s still up for debate who will play with him because there will undoubtedly be more difficult tests to come.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Gallagher have both suffered, but after a 45-minute cameo against Slovenia, Kobbie Mainoo ought to be the front-runner to start alongside the Arsenal star.
The former midfield player, affectionately known as “The Ginger Prince,” expressed his annoyance on Instagram regarding Rice’s tendency to receive a lot of touches for England.
Paul Scholes on Instagram.
Do you agree? pic.twitter.com/uat6jzIqFV
— TheSecretScout (@TheSecretScout_) June 28, 2024
One of the greatest Premier League midfielders of all time, Scholes, said that Mainoo, a graduate of Manchester United, could turn the tide for England and that Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden together would win them games.
