Former Premier League midfielder Jamie O’Hara has backed Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka to play at left back for England in Euro 2024.
Bukayo Saka has not yet made the impact that Arsenal fans would have expected in Euro 2024, with the 22 year-old having made four appearances with no goals or assists.
In England’s last game, Gareth Southgate decided to replace full back Keiran Trippier with Chelsea star Cole Palmer, leaving a hole on the left hand side.
The England boss then decided to move Saka to left back to fill the void, which warranted much criticism from fans. However former Spurs man Jamie O’Hara believes that it was not a bad move.
Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, he said: “I would start Bukayo Saka at left back. Truthfully, Saka on the right has been poor – he was non-existent against Slovakia. He hasn’t really made anything happen, so you may as well play him at left back.”
“It’s not ideal and it’s an emergency situation, but at least it keeps Saka on the pitch.”
Could Arsenal man Saka replace Luke Shaw at left back?
Gareth Southgate has used Newcastle man Keiran Trippier at left back for the majority of Euro 2024 so far, with Manchester United man Shaw out with injury.
However, Trippier has not looked at his best on the left hand side, something that O’Hara was quick to point out. “Kieran Trippier was killing England at left back and has been doing so all tournament,” he said. “He’s constantly going backwards and it destroys any momentum they have with the ball. I feel sorry for him because he isn’t a left back.”
So instead the former midfielder is saying why not place Saka at the position on the left where he has played in the past, albeit not as a defender.
Liverpool’s Joe Gomez could provide another option at full back, but then again, he is a natural centre back and lacks the attacking ability that the likes of Saka, Shaw and Trippier provide.
