Arsenal fans have lashed at their club legend Ian Wright for suggesting England should play Bukayo Saka at left-back in their next Euro 2024 match. Wright wants Gareth Southgate to involve Cole Palmer in the starting XI even if it means playing Saka out of position. Saka has started all three games on the right wing so far, though was substituted finally against Slovenia for Cole Palmer.
England’s Struggles and Line-Up Challenges
England drew 0-0 with Slovenia in their final Group C match. This secured a spot in the knockout stages for the team. Key players like Harry Kane Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Saka struggled to replicate their club form. Substitutes Kobbie Mainoo Anthony Gordon and Palmer showed promise. Palmer’s performance led former Manchester United captain Roy Keane to suggest Southgate will be under pressure to start Chelsea star in the next game.
Fans React to Ian Wright’s Proposal
Ian Wright hopes to see Palmer start alongside Bellingham and Foden. Also Saka should join them. With Luke Shaw still unfit, Kieran Trippier is playing left-back out of position. Wright believes Saka’s experience in that role could benefit England. “Saka is natural left-sided player” Wright said. “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.”
Ian Wright just suggested putting Saka at LB, in order to start Palmer at right wing.
One of your own… 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/JCqsU0mJKc
— CFCJohnnyB (@CFCJohnnyB) June 25, 2024
Fans have ridiculed Ian Wright’s take on social media. The Gunners fan page @now_arsenaI posted on X “The amount of disrespect on Bukayo Saka’s name is crazy. Even Ian Wright is suggesting playing the boy at left-back.” Another fan, @ruukayo_ added, “Ian Wright is embarrassing for suggesting on live TV that Saka should be England’s LB. While Palmer takes the RW position.”