Bukayo Saka was moved to left-back during England’s win over Slovakia (
Jake Bayliss
Rio Ferdinand has insisted that Bukayo Saka can be the solution to England’s left-back problem – even if the Arsenal winger disagrees.
The Three Lions scraped through to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals in dramatic fashion, with a last-gasp overhead kick from Jude Bellingham keeping England in the tournament before Harry Kane successfully flipped the script at the start of extra time. It means that Gareth Southgate has a tie against Switzerland to prepare for and several key decisions to make.
One of the most prominent issues has been England’s lack of options at left-back, with Kieran Trippier filling in for the injured Luke Shaw. Trippier has been ineffective going forward and was forced off with an injury against Slovakia, with the lack of alternatives forcing Saka to drop into his former position and Ferdinand believes that he could be the solution to the team’s left-sided issue.
“Saka playing left-back, I shouted it before the tournament even started, put him left-back,” the ex-England defender told his Five YouTube Channel. “With Trippier on the left side, I love Trippier as a right-back, but left side he just affects the balance of the team. We don’t get overlaps.
“One time, he went down the left-hand side and he cuts back in on his right foot again, the momentum’s gone from the move. We allowed the other team to get back.
“If that was a left-footer, he runs down the wing and crosses the ball. I’d play Saka left-back, I would. He’s done it for ages as a kid growing up. He played left-back, and he’s comfortable at doing it.”
During his breakthrough season at Arsenal, almost five years ago, Saka was deployed at left-back on 16 occasions, as well as regularly playing the position for England age-group sides. The idea of Saka bringing balance to the left flank was first floated by pundit Ian Wright but the 22-year-old disagreed with the Gunners legend.
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Former England defender Rio Ferdinand has called for Bukayo Saka to stay at left-back (
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Speaking ahead of the Slovakia game, Saka told BBC 5Live: “No, obviously I love Ian Wright and he says so many great things about me but I don’t think putting me out of position is the solution.
“But, at the end of the day, I think we can we can talk about this but it’s in Gareth (Southgate’s) hands, so we will just have to trust whoever Gareth selects on the day.”
Saka doubled down on his stance in a separate interview with talkSPORT: “I feel more comfortable on the right, I think that’s where I play best so that’s my thoughts. I think, a lot of the time coming in on my stronger foot, being able to link up with players, play passes, take shots. It’s when I’m at my best so that’s why I think it’s my best position.”
However, desperate times against Slovakia forced Southgate to roll the dice, shifting Saka to full-back to bring Cole Palmer on to the right. The Arsenal man bizarrely ended the game at right wingback.
The only other defenders that could feasibly step in for Trippier are Ezri Konsa and Joe Gomez, who deputised at left-back for Liverpool this season. Gary Neville has previously voiced his support of Saka replacing Trippier on the left but believes that the manager could favour another option.
“I think that it would be brilliant to see Bukayo Saka at left-back but I think Gareth Southgate won’t do that,” Neville told ITV during England’s final group game.
“What you may get him to do is put Kyle Walker as left-back and put Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right who is a brilliant user of the ball on the right-hand side. Having Kieran Tripper and Walker on either side means we’re blocking a little bit both sides and I think having Trent on one side is the best we’re going to get.”