
Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice have been called up for England’s upcoming Nations League games against Finland and Greece.
Lee Carsley took over the Three Lions as interim manager after Gareth Southgate left the team in the aftermath of EURO 2024. England lost the final 2-1 to Spain.
Carsley’s reign has begun on the right foot, with victories over Ireland and Finland.
Bukayo Saka has had an incredible start to the Premier League season, with one goal and five assists. The forward scored in the Gunners’ win over Paris Saint-Germain this week.
Saka believes this year, the team can finally win the Premier League:
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on us but I do think this is the year.
“I think we’ve been close the last two years, and we’re getting close, but yeah this will hopefully be the year.”
Bukayo Saka tipped to fill in at left back for England
During EURO 2024, Bukayo Saka had to move to play left wing back in the latter stages of the competition. The decision by Gareth Southgate caused an uproar in English media and among Arsenal fans. Now, Lee Carsley says he might have to call upon Saka to fill the role again.
“[Alexander-Arnold] can play there. Bukayo can play there, Cole can play there, so there’s quite a few,” Carsley said.
“Obviously you want to get the best out of them in their most natural positions. We know if we play a right-footed player there, at left-back, that we’re going to have to build differently and be creative in the way we set up.
“I think if you’re asking a right-footed player to play high and wide and playing too high and wide, it can sometimes be a little bit predictable. It’s important that we aren’t predictable, that we’ve got different ways of attacking.”
England did not name a natural left back in the squad for the international break.
Playing Arsenal star at left back is ridiculous
The decision not to name a natural left back by Carsley is ridiculous. Bukayo Saka is one of the best wingers in Europe, and moving him out of position, when he’s one of England’s best players is shocking.
Against Leicester City last weekend, the 23-year old created 8 chances and completed 8 dribbles in the game – a feat which had not been achieved by any Premier League player in the last five years. Saka is a winger, and he should stay in attack where he thrives.
