- England dramatically kept Euro 2024 dreams alive against Slovakia on Sunday
- Incident in the game may force Gareth Southgate to make unpopular decision
- LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY: Rallying cry from England fans – why it’s time to back Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate has revealed he is prepared to make what could prove to be an unpopular decision for for of his players when England take on Switzerland.
The Three Lions dramatically secured a place in the last eight against Slovakia on Sunday, despite once again failing to live up to their pre-tournament billing.
Ivan Schranz’s first-half strike left England shell-shocked, and while goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane would ultimately secure a come from behind win concerns persist around the team.
To make matters worse for Southgate stand-in left-back Kieran Trippier limped off during the hour mark to be replaced by Cole Palmer.
Trippier’s injury appeared to be the perfect opportunity for Luke Shaw to get his first minutes of the tournament.
Gareth Southgate has indicated he is prepared to go against a player’s wishes when England take on Switzerland
The England boss was forced to improvise after Kieran Trippier was forced off injured against Slovakia
Southgate turned to Bukayo Saka to fill in at left-back, despite the Arsenal star previously expressing reservations around being deployed in the position
Southgate’s decision to look elsewhere for a deputy at left-back appears to be a damning indictment of the Man United star’s fitness as he continues to work his way back from injury.
The England boss instead opted to reshuffle his side and move Bukayo Saka into the left-side of defence, marking the first time England have had a naturally left-footed player in their backline in the tournament.
Speaking following the result, Southgate appeared pleased with his contributions in the position, hinting that he may look to start the Arsenal winger there going forward despite Saka’s well-publicised reservations.
‘We felt that Bukayo at left-back gave us an extra attacking outlet,’ Southgate told Radio 5 Live after the 2-1 win.
‘It is a good option to have. I have to say the courage shown by the players was fantastic tonight.’
Saka began his senior career on the left side of defence, with the Arsenal academy graduate breaking in to the club’s first-team while then-first choice left-back Kieran Tierney was injured.
Since then however, the 22-year-old has grown into one of the world’s foremost players as a right-winger and he insisted last week that deploying him in left-back is not the solution for England.
The Arsenal star went on to acknowledge that ‘it’s in Gareth’s hands and we all have to trust what he selects on the day’.
Speaking following England’s group stage draw with Slovenia, Ian Wright insisted deploying Saka on the left could improve England’s balance.
Saka began his senior-career on the left side of defence but stated recently that moving him there is not the solution to England’s problem
Luke Shaw is the only natural left-back in Southgate’s squad but is still recovering from injury
‘As great as Saka has done for England in terms of what he creates and his goals and assists, he is a natural left-sided player.’ Wright said.
‘He started playing for England on the left at youth level, he started at Arsenal on the left. 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.
‘Yes, Kyle Walker can play there [at left-back], it’s the same situation where you have the player coming inside, you have no one going around. He’s a natural left-footer Saka, we could activate the whole left side.’
