Gareth Southgate may deploy Bukayo Saka at left-back again in Euro 2024, despite the player’s reservations.
England narrowly beat Slovakia 2-1 in the last 16, thanks to Jude Bellingham‘s equalizer and Harry Kane‘s extra-time winner.
Three Lion main left back Luke Shaw injured and Kieran Trippier not a natural left-back, Saka may be called upon to fill the gap, despite his preference for other positions.
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Southgate:
‘We felt that Bukayo at left-back gave us an extra attacking outlet.’
‘It is a good option to have. I have to say the courage shown by the players was fantastic tonight.’
Southgate hit back at the criticism of his substitutions after the victory over Slovakia.
‘The two players who get the goals, you could arguably take off 15 minutes from the end because they looked out on their feet, but that is what they are capable of.’
‘Harry and Jude, with 15 minutes to go you are looking and thinking, ‘should we be refreshing those positions?’, and maybe that’s the bit that makes the difference.
But then you know they are capable of doing the sorts of things they did. That’s why you stick with those players.
‘So when people want changes, you’ve got to keep some balance to the team, you’ve got to make changes that you think are definitely going to improve what you’re doing, either physically or with a different sort of a problem.
‘I think actually pretty much all the changes we have made this tournament have had an impact, so that’s shown the value of our squad and the need of everyone to be ready.’
England face Switzerland in the quarter-finals on July 6.
