Gareth Southgate showed faith in the 19-year-old Gunners youngster at this summer’s European Championships, with Bukayo making his starting XI on three occasions.
Saka needs more experience and direct running against Italy
The Euro 2020 final match may be “one game too much” for Bukayo Saka claims Gary Neville. The former Manchester United defender is looking for Marcus Rashford or Jadon Sancho to fill the starting berth against Italy. Gareth Southgate showed faith in the 19-year-old Gunners youngster at this summer’s European Championships, with Bukayo making his starting XI on three occasions. Two of those outings have been in the knockout stage, against Germany in the last-16 and the semi-final showdown with Denmark. Still, Neville believes more experience and direct running will be required against the Azzurri with silverware on the line.
The 19-years-old had been the liveliest of the wide players against Denmark
Neville, who helped England until the last four of Euro 96 and earned 85 caps for his country, told reporters: “I agreed to bring Saka back against Denmark because I felt he had been the liveliest of the wide players, along with Raheem Sterling. I’m not sure if he will start Sunday, I think it might be too much for him. What he did last night, the amount he gave in this tournament, I feel like we will see somebody else. I look at Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, and I wonder who would not they like to have in those wide areas doing those inside runs? I think it might be a game for Rashford or Sancho to accompany Sterling in those wide positions.”
“I think those wide positions need to be fast players who make out to in runs, so I don’t think we’ll see Bukayo Saka on Sunday. So, I think it might be too much for him. I was there in Euro 1996 as a 21 -year-old and was exhausted during the tournament. I feel that he may be a comfortable sub on Sunday, and Southgate could attract other players who didn’t play on Wednesday night”. Sancho, who is completing a transfer to Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund for £73 million, started England’s quarter-final clash with Ukraine. Phil Foden and Jack Grealish have also filled attacking berths from the off at Euro 2020. Red Devils star Rashford has yet to start XI but has come off the bench four times.