Lee Hendrie and Jamie Mackie were heavily critical of England manager Gareth Southgate, after Arsenal winger, Bukayo Saka, was played as a left-sided wing-back on international duty.
On Friday night, England were relegated from their UEFA Nations League group, with Arsenal’s thriving winger playing in an unusual wing-back role.
Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell, the bonafide left-backs for their country, are either out-of-form, suffering from lack of minutes, or in both boats.
Rather than play either player or select another thriving left-back in the Premier League, Southgate opted to push Saka into that position instead.
Either way, this isn’t ideal preparation for Southgate and his players heading towards Qatar – their final game before the World Cup will be against Germany at Wembley on Monday night.
One-cap England midfielder Hendire, who played with Southgate at Aston Villa, blasted his former teammate and how ‘big questions’ need to be asked because ‘there isn’t a plan B’, as he told Sky Sports News.
“Kane was dropping into deep positions,’ said Hendrie. “Foden looked sharp at times, but he looked too deep where he was receiving balls.
“We didn’t stretch the play once for me. If you are going to score or attempt to score, then you need to play higher up the pitch. The dynamics aren’t changing and there isn’t a plan B. 
“Saka at times is isolated, that forces performances to be below par – Kane had eight touches in the opposition box. Sterling has had two. You have to ask big, big questions.
Mackie then added: “Saka has been in such good form. Playing in a position where he’s good, if someone is better in his position, then fair enough, then he doesn’t play. But you don’t put him in a position where he’s not excelling.”
Hendrie then responded: “Where would you rather see Saka? (In a front three) That’s what I am saying.”
Well, nations across the world are set to play their final fixture this week before the 2022 World Cup in November.
For England. It’s the small matter of hosting Germany, who are going through a bad patch of thrown of late.
After the nightmare in Italy, surely Saka can’t start as a left-sided wing-back again?
Perhaps give him the chance to play on the right wing, that way he can showcase why he has played a big part in Mikel Arteta’s side sitting top of the Premier League table.
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