‘Saka is burdened with glorious purpose’: Ian Wright leads praise for new England heroes Bukayo and Jack Grealish as they combine to set up Raheem Sterling… with Gary Neville describing the Arsenal man as a ‘breath of fresh air’
- Raheem Sterling nodded England in front early on in their Czech Republic match
- Jack Grealish provided the assist and Bukayo Saka was crucial in the build-up
- Ian Wright hailed Arsenal winger Saka for his positive start to the Euro 2020 tie
- Gary Neville praised the link-up of Saka Grealish and Sterling behind Harry Kane
Ian Wright and Gary Neville were full of praise for Jack Grealish and Bukayo Saka for their roles in England’s opening goal against the Czech Republic on Tuesday night.
Raheem Sterling headed the Three Lions in front after just 12 minutes at Wembley in a match where Gareth Southgate’s side needed to win to top Group D at Euro 2020.
Grealish provided the assist for Sterling’s header with a testing floated cross, while Saka carried the ball superbly into the Czech half in the build-up to the goal, with pundit Wright praising the latter for his first-half display.
Ian Wright led the praise for Bukayo Saka (right) and Jack Grealish (left) for their roles in England’s first goal against the Czech Republic
Raheem Sterling nodded the Three Lions in front after 12 minutes of the Euro 2020 group tie
Wright told ITV on Tuesday night: ‘Saka, my guy. Everybody at Arsenal knows that Saka is burdened with glorious purpose.
‘You know what he’s going to do, this is what he’s been doing at Arsenal all season, getting us out of holes by being positive, going at people and making things happen. That exactly what England needed, it’s fantastic, I’m delighted for him.
‘Between Grealish, Sterling and Saka, they have been magnificent, run them ragged.’
ITV pundit Wright hailed Saka for his role in the goal during the build-up and final actions
Saka (left) started the move for the goal with a superb solo run starting from inside his own half
Tuesday night’s match was Grealish and Saka’s first start in major tournament football at international level. The duo were two of four changes made by Southgate for the final group match, with Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire being restored to the back line.
But it was the forward line involving Grealish, Saka, Harry Kane and Sterling that earned the most praise from the pundits just days after their uninspiring 0-0 draw with Scotland on Friday.
Neville praised the ‘fearless’ forward line that started against the Czech Republic while the former Manchester United man described Arsenal star Saka as ‘a breath of fresh air’.
Grealish provided the key pass for Sterling to head home in the final group match for England
He added: ‘The three behind Kane have been absolutely brilliant. Saka has been just a breath of fresh air. They look like they’re enjoying themselves, and they didn’t on Friday.
‘The best players can go outside as well and he (Grealish) delivers an absolutely perfect cross. There’s rotation behind Kane and that goal summed it up.
‘The confidence, you think the fact it’s their first start in a tournament, Saka (is) 19. They’re absolutely fearless.
Gary Neville claimed England’s three players behind Harry Kane were a joy to watch
‘It’s what England fans want to see, taking people on, committing defenders, winning free kicks.
‘You’ve got that foundation with Rice and Phillips and nobody is complaining about that tonight because you’ve got that three in front of them that are really alive and alert.’