Bukayo Saka at left back shouldn’t be an option for Southgate against Switzerland.
Having progressed into the quarter finals of the UEFA Euro competitions thanks to a Jude Bellingham late equalizer and a Harry Kane header early in the extra-time, England coach Gareth Southgate might decide to shake up his squad a little bit and fit in his last-minute cameo stars into his starting lineup. The Three Lions will be going against Switzerland in the quarter finals and it’s a match not to miss considering the Swiss national team is on fire at the moment.
With many pundits and former England internationals including Ian Wright and Paul Scholes coming out with the opinion that Bukayo Saka should start at left back to pave way for Cole Palmer or Ivan Toney, Southgate might decide to try it out considering it worked in the last minutes of the match against Slovakia after Kieran Trippier was subbed off injured.
This might turn up being a mistake later on during the match keeping in mind that Swiss captain Granit Xhaka was the mastermind behind Saka’s masterclass at left back whereas he used to do all the dirty work for Saka and covering up for him in defense while Saka was upfront. Saka at left back would be an added advantage to England while attacking but it would also be a disadvantage to them on defense because he has also not played there for three years.
Moreso, Granit Xhaka knows how well Saka can play in that position and also when, where and how to take advantage of his liabilities. It would be a mess for Southgate to risk and experiment that idea while also still having a not yet solidified midfield.
Going by last match, Declan Rice tends to play deep inside and cover for Kobbie Maino and adding Saka onto him will be a burden considering he has to cover for him almost all the time. It might also affect the way of play of the team while also Saka himself has publicly slammed the idea of him going at Leftback being the solution.
If Southgate has to make a sacrifice, then it has to be Phil Foden starting on the bench while either of Cole Palmer or Eberechi Eze comes on in the left wing. If Trippier is injured then let him bring in a natural defender, someone who can automatically fit in like Konsa to avoid giving Declan Rice more work.
