Soccer
Former Arsenal striker wants Bukayo Saka to change position if one thing happens before Slovakia match
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Former England striker Alan Smith believes that Bukayo Saka should be employed at left-back if Luke Shaw is not fit.
The Manchester United defender has not been fit for much of the domestic season and he has not featured in the group stages for Gareth Southgate’s men.
There remains doubt over whether he will be fully fit for the knockout match against Slovakia, and suggestions from some pundits have put forward the notion that Arsenal’s wideman Saka could be the answer.
He has the ability to operate on both flanks, but he has been one of England’s better players at Euro 2024 this summer.
Speaking to Prime Casino , Smith believes that Saka may have to be moved for the good of the team.
He said: “We haven’t mentioned Luke Shaw. There’s a question mark about whether he would be fit enough to play at left back because that certainly has been a problem position for the manager.
“If Shaw isn’t available, there’s been a lot of talk about putting Bukayo Saka at left back, which would be a bold move. I don't think he'll put Saka in there, but if Saka were to play Saka there then it gets another attack-minded player into the team and gives Cole Palmer another opportunity to impress.
“I think I'd probably stick with Bellingham as that number 10, with Foden on the left. I would play Kobbie Mainoo next to Rice. If Southgate is going to be bold, he could put Saka at left back. It would give England greater width on the left and Phil Foden more freedom to drift because Saka will overlap, which would make things a little bit more balanced.”
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