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Gabriel Agbonlahor says ‘Bukayo Saka will be delighted’ after what he is hearing at Euro 2024

Hitc 2 days ago
Bukayo Saka of England controls the ball during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between England and Slovakia at Arena AufSchalke on June 30, 2...
Photo by Alex Gottschalk/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images

It has been a tough Euro 2024 for Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka so far.

In truth, he isn’t the only one underperforming, you are probably better off naming who is performing well for England that’s how bad it has been.

Gareth Southgate’s side have played four matches – and Bukayo Saka has started all of them – which is a testament to the player and the faith his manager has in the Arsenal star.

But England’s performances, especially from the attacking players, aren’t sitting well with many people and they are calling for changes.

The Three Lions will take on Switzerland for a place in the semi-final, with Saka set to come up against a familiar face in former Arsenal star Granit Xhaka.

But where will Saka play? During the second half of England’s fortunate win over Slovakia, Saka was deployed at left-back because Kieran Trippier had to go off injured.

The Newcastle United man is now a doubt for the quarter-final game on Saturday and many are talking about Saka possibly starting from that position.

The player has come out during this tournament and suggested that he would prefer to remain in his right-wing role.

But Gabby Agbonlahor thinks the Hale-End star ‘will be delighted’ to hear that Luke Shaw, who has been injured all tournament, is ready to play because he wanted to come on against Slovakia but Southgate opted against using him.

If that’s the case, then he should start at left-back, even though Agbonlahor thinks it’s a ‘risk’, and then there is no need to move Saka, as he told talkSPORT.

Will Bukayo Saka start at left-back for England?

“Why bring him, if you are not going to (throw Shaw in),” questioned Agbonlahor. “Why was he in the 26-man squad?

“Personally, I think it’s a bit of a risk (playing Shaw against Switzerland). He hasn’t played since February. Hamstring injuries can be such a problem when you come back in. It’s going to be such a high-intensity game against the Swiss. It’s a risk, but like Pickford said, if he was ready to come in the last game, then maybe Southgate would be looking at that.

“I am sure Saka would be delighted with that and he doesn’t have to play there. He can then keep his position on the right. We will see. Time will tell and how fit he is. But, for me, it would be a big risk.”

Bukayo Saka of England vies with Marek Rodak of Slovakia , David Hancko of Slovakia  during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between England an...
Photo by Stefan Matzke – sampics/Getty Images

Should Bukayo Saka be dropped by Gareth Southgate?

Arsenal fans might not like to hear it and they will rightfully point towards Southgate’s paint-dry tactics sucking the life out of players like Saka.

But something has to give and something has to change here, especially when other players are knocking on the door.

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer had an outstanding Premier League campaign and has looked bright during the little time he has been on the pitch at Euro 2024.

Many are calling for him to start, and you can’t argue against them, which puts Saka’s starting spot under threat ahead of the showdown with the Swiss.

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