Bring back Saka! Gary Neville says he WOULD return the Arsenal youngster to England’s starting line-up for Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark after he missed the Ukraine win having picked up a knock in training
Gary Neville believes that England should make just one change to their team for Wednesday’s Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark by bringing Bukayo Saka back into the side.
Saka missed England’s 4-0 victory against Ukraine after suffering a slight knock in training, with Jadon Sancho replacing him in the starting lineup in Rome.
Arsenal youngster Saka will hope to be fully fit against Denmark, with manager Gareth Southgate facing a selection dilemma, especially when it is taken into consideration that Phil Foden is also capable of playing on the right flank.
Gary Neville has called for Bukayo Saka to start when England face Denmark in the semi-finals
Neville is adamant that Saka should start when England play their first European Championship final for 25 years.
Asked on Twitter what his team would be to face Denmark, Neville wrote: ‘Same team but Saka back in.’
Saka didn’t feature in the tournament until the final group game against Czech Republic, but the 19-year-old produced an impressive performance in a 1-0 victory and was rewarded with a start against Germany in the last-16.
Neville believes Saka, who missed the Ukraine game with a knock, should return to the side
Jadon Sancho started against Ukraine in Saka’s absence and Phil Foden can also play out wide
Again unfazed by the big occasion, Saka played 69 minutes against Germany and gave a good account of himself.
Saka hadn’t even made his England debut this time last year, but the starlet now has seven caps and scored his first international goal in the friendly win against Austria prior to the tournament.
Sancho will hope that he can retain his place in the team, with the winger, who recently agreed a move to Manchester United, having been given his first start of the tournament against Ukraine.
Elsewhere in the team, Jordan Henderson is pushing for a start after scoring his first England goal against Ukraine, but the Liverpool midfielder may have to be on the bench again, with Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips now established as the regular midfield pairing for Southgate’s side.
Jack Grealish, who was an unused substitute against Ukraine, will also be aiming to start but faces much competition for a place in the side.
