For England’s opening two Euro 2024 matches against Serbia and Denmark, Bukayo Saka returned to the starting lineup, but there have been suggestions that Gareth Southgate should reorganise his squad.
Former England defender Ashley Cole believes Gareth Southgate should bench Bukayo Saka to make room for Phil Foden on the right side of the Three Lions.
For England’s first two group games, Saka, the two-time England player of the year, has started on the right, with Foden on the left. Though Saka assisted Jude Bellingham’s winning goal in the first game against Serbia, neither had struck the back of the net. Following a strong club season for Manchester City, Foden was named the Premier League’s player of the season. But he hasn’t been able to replicate that form in an England shirt, and Southgate is being pushed to figure something out.
There are many who advocated shifting the 24-year-old to the centre and placing Bellingham in a supporting position. Cole, nevertheless, has said that Saka should be sacrificed in order to bring out the most in the international colleague of the Arsenal star.
“I would like to see Anthony Gordon play from the left, I would like to see Foden playing on the right because I feel he’s been unfairly dug out,” Cole stated to beIN Sports. “You can still consider Saka to be taking a break. We already know how good Foden is, so I would like him to prove it to the world.
“I believe that he has received unjust criticism for playing out of position. Some may say, “Well, he’s a world-class player; he should be flexible.” You make a valid point, and I get it. However, based on what I’ve seen of him, I hope he plays for Man City.
“In terms of midfield or other changes I’d like to see Kobbie [Mainoo] or Cole Palmer play in midfield, be more front footed, dominate the ball a bit more they would be my changes.”
Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden haven’t shown their club form for England this summer ( Image: DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Even if they lose to Slovenia in their last group match, England still has a chance to advance to the round of sixteen with four points from their first two games. Although Cole has asked Saka to move aside, Gary Neville, a former England teammate, thinks Foden ought to be the one left out on Tuesday night.
“[Southgate] mentioned that Rice might have a partner and that Kane might need some pace up front. That’s Mainoo and that’s Gordon “On Saturday, the former right-back told ITV. Declan Rice needs a capable midfield partner to help us play out of the back.
We’ve been discussing the pace question for a few days, so I believe it exists. He might even be disruptive enough, in my opinion, to follow through on his past tournament performances and go to a three in the back. Gareth finds the role of left wing-back to be somewhat challenging.”
England will secure first place in their group and a knockout match against the team that placed third in their group if they defeat Slovenia. Dropped points, though, might force them to play the tournament’s top scorers, Germany, as hosts.
