Joe Cole has hailed the ‘absolutely outstanding’ Arsenal and Chelsa duo, Bukayo Saka and Mason Mount, after their game-changing performance during England’s 3-3 draw against Germany at Wembley on Monday night, as he told Channel 4 Sport.
Gareth Southgate’s side were 2-0 down when they were introduced into the action in the second half, only for Chelsea forward Kai Havertz to double his side’s lead with a brilliant curling effort.
But that’s when the lifeless and lacklustre England woke up, with Luke Shaw pegging a goal back from close range, before Saka and Mount combined, for the latter to score a brilliant first-time effort into the near post.
During England’s defeat to Italy last Friday, Saka was used as a left-sided wing-back by Southgate, despite growing success on the right wing for Arsenal in recent seasons.
Mount, on the other hand, didn’t even come off the bench in Milan, but when he did last night, he scored a much-needed first goal of the season.
Even though Harry Kane’s penalty was cancelled out by Havertz during a frantic finish to the game, former England playmaker Cole loved what he saw from the duo who came off the bench.
“The substitutions, Saka and Mount, they were absolutely outstanding,” said Cole. “Bellingham and Rice in the middle of the park.
“They will be the envy of many teams at the World Cup. It was an outstanding performance, but it was from the gut. Those lads showed so much spirit.
“It was an outstanding finish. These two, Saka and Mount link-up. What a finish. Saka has played it in. Mason’s not been at his best, he will be the first to admit that. But he has taken that with such confidence and whipped it.”
WILL MOUNT AND SAKA START IN QATAR?
Aside from injury, there is no reason why both Mount and Saka shouldn’t earn that golden ticket for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, it’s just a case of whether they will start or not.
In previous times, Mount has been a bit of a favourite of Southgate’s, but his poor start to the new Premier League season, has seen him warm the bench.
As for Saka, as he proved last night, if he is on the pitch, then he can make quite the impact, it’s just a case of playing him in his correct position and he will cause havoc.
All in all, when England kick-off their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21, then it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the above duo in the starting XI.
