Bukayo Saka warns Gareth Southgate about radical England position change for last-16 tie

Bukayo Saka has suggested it would be a bad idea to play him at left-back after Gary Neville and Ian Wright's bold suggestion for a solution to England's problems.

Punditry pair Neville and Wright have both suggested that Saka - who stars on the right wing for Arsenal and has started all three of England's matches at Euro 2024 there - could be utilised in what has become a problem position for Gareth Southgate.

First-choice left-back Luke Shaw has been injured throughout the tournament thus far, with Kieran Tripper playing at left-back even though he is more at home on the right. Joe Gomez often played left-back for Liverpool last season, but like Shaw he is yet to see a minute of action at the tournament.

Speaking after the goalless draw with Slovenia, ITV Sport pundit Neville said: "I think that it would be brilliant to see Bukayo Saka at left-back but I think Gareth Southgate won't do that.

"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."

Fellow pundit Wright later agreed with Neville, saying: "As great as Saka has done for England in terms of what he creates and his goals and assists, he is a natural left-sided player.

Gary Neville suggested Bukayo Saka could play at left-back for England

"He started playing for England on the left at youth level, he started at Arsenal on the left. If that’s going to give you the balance and gets you Cole Palmer in the team, it’s something you have to at least look at.

"Yes, Kyle Walker can play there [at left-back], it’s the same situation where you have the player coming inside, you have no one going around. He’s a natural left-footer Saka, we could activate the whole left side."

Both pundits have received their fare share of criticism on social media for the suggestion, and it seems that Saka himself isn't a fan either.

Gunners winger Saka told the BBC: “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.

Saka has been substituted in every England match so far

“But at the end of the day, I think we can talk about this but it's in Gareth's hands so we will just have to trust whoever Gareth selects on the day. I think we should trust Gareth's decision and listen to him select the team.

“I think the role of a modern winger, you're asked to do a job attacking and defensively but I think at the end of the day now in this generation I think you're judged a lot more on your goals and assists and the contribution on that side.

“Sport at the highest level, there's always going to be pressure. So whatever is expected, you have to rise to it now, I'm just used to that now.”

Saka has scored 11 goals in 36 caps, provided the cross for Jude Bellingham’s winner in the opening game and insists that England have done what they set out to achieve by finishing top of their Group.

He also paid tribute to England boss Southgate who has always championed him in the team and is now getting stick from fans. But Saka says the mood is good among the players.

Saka added: “I would say he (Southgate) has supported me, trusted me, played me in a lot of big games and I appreciate that, a lot of the boys think the same and we will just focus on the next game and try and win that.

“When we came into the tournament we wanted to qualify first and we have done that, it is job done.

“We leave the group stage behind now and it is the knockout stages, every game is massive and we are just focused on Slovakia now and trying to win that game and go to the next round.”

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.