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Jamie Carragher has urged England manager Gareth Southgate to start Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka in the World Cup opening game.
As reported by HITC, the ex-England international says Saka is “playing well” and deserves a starting role for England against Iran.
The Three Lions take on Iran on November 21, followed by meetings with the USA and Wales on November 25 and 29 respectively.
They go into the tournament on a poor run of form, with England now without a win in their last six matches.
England boss urged to start Arsenal winger
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While Carragher believes Raheem Sterling has been a standout for England in recent tournaments, he hasn’t made the pundit’s favoured starting XI.
The ex-Liverpool defender opted for Manchester City youngster Phil Foden on the left, with Arsenal’s Saka on the right. Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane completes his front three.
“I love Raheem Sterling,” said Carragher. “He was England’s best player at the Euros.
“He was out of this world. I just think this season his form hasn’t been great and also in an England shirt of late.
“I think Saka is playing that well in that position. It wasn’t one or the other because I always prefer Raheem on the left, if I am totally honest, it wasn’t Raheem or Saka.
“It was always going to be Saka on that right-hand side, then it came down to Raheem or Phil Foden.
“I just think the actual ability of Phil Foden, how he is playing since that European Championship, mainly for his club, so I thought I would start with him.”
Saka enjoying life at Arsenal
Saka has been one of the standout players for Arsenal in recent years. He has endeared himself to Gunners fans with trickery and guile on the ball, and hard work and determination off it.
The winger has four goals and six assists from his 14 Premier League matches this season. He has been a regular for Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta’s side currently sitting top of the table.
Saka netted 11 league goals last time out, also chipping in with seven assists. He has now been a key figure in Arsenal’s deadly attacking line alongside Gabriel Jesus and fellow winger Gabriel Martinelli.
Southgate with England attacking dilemme
England boss Southgate faces selection dilemmas all over the pitch. One major headache will be who to start in the final third.
Captain Kane undoubtedly picks himself in the lone striker role, should the manager opt for his familiar three up front system. The Spurs striker has 12 Premier League goals this season. Only Man City’s Erling Haaland (18) has more.
Southgate opted for a front three of Kane, Foden and Sterling in England’s previous two matches. The trio all got the nod for the Nations League meetings with Germany and Italy.
But the likes of Jack Grealish, James Maddison, Marcus Rashford and Callum Wilson are also now in contention, as well as Saka.
They are among the eight forwards selected by Southgate in his final 26-man England squad. There is now much anticipation over who will start going forward and indeed in every other area of the pitch.
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