“Playing me at left wing-back is not the solution.”
Buckayo Sakho has spoken out on the ‘left wing-back speculation’. England were the heavy favorites for Euro2024. They had superstars like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Declan Rice. It was widely believed that they could win their first ever Euro. But when the lid was lifted, it was a disappointment. In Group C, England topped their group and advanced to the round of 16, but were criticized for their ‘no-jam’ performance. They scored just two goals in three games, winning one and drawing two.
They need to show a different side in the tournament, but their biggest concern is on the left. Gareth Southgate used right-back Kieran Trippier on the left throughout the group stage due to Luke Shaw’s slow recovery. It wasn’t the best of performances, but it was the only option. But then Trippier went down with an injury. England needed an alternative.
That’s when the idea of using Xhaka at left wing-back came to mind.
The idea gained more traction when legendary Arsenal striker Ian Wright publicly advocated for it. 바카라 필승법 Wright argued that playing Xhaka as a left wing-back would have the advantage of utilizing Cole Palmer on the bench at the same time. Palmer was an incredible goalscorer last season, and he’s also been solid in England’s recent campaigns. Xhaka was originally envisioned as a wing-back.
But Saka had other ideas. “I like Wright,” he told the BBC on Monday, “I like him. He said a lot of good things about me. But I don’t think playing me as a left wing-back is the solution,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it’s up to the manager to choose the players. I will trust whoever Southgate chooses.” Xhaka has recently been playing on the right wing for both Arsenal and England. “I’m more comfortable on the right. It’s nice to be able to play inside and shoot with my strongest foot,” he said.