Bukayo Saka helped turn around a certain defeat with England on Monday, only missing out on the win due to a goalkeeping error....CONTINUE READING
Despite Arsenal leading the Premier League at the moment, none of their players made Gareth Southgate’s starting lineup to face Germany on Monday.
Ben White had been left at home, Aaron Ramsdale was consigned to the bench for the second game in a row, and Bukayo Saka was also benched having been used at left-wing-back against Italy.
The opening 70 minutes of football certainly showed up a couple of those decisions. England failed to create any big chances without Saka, and Harry Maguire made two errors to give Germany a 2-0 lead.
After that, substitute Saka was heavily involved in a dramatic comeback. First, he linked up with Reece James, whose cross set up a goal for Luke Shaw. Then he made a strong run and assisted Mason Mount’s equaliser.
With less than 10 minutes left, Saka played another pass into the box, leading to a foul on Jude Bellingham and a penalty converted by Harry Kane.
Just as England looked to have secured an unexpected victory, Nick Pope highlighted another of Gareth Southgate’s mistakes.
Southgate had selected Pope ahead of Aaron Ramsdale, but the Newcastle goalkeeper spilled a shot straight to Kai Havertz for an 87th-minute equaliser.
With one error leading to a shot, another error leading to a goal, 54% pass accuracy, and just one save to his three goals conceded, Pope did nothing to show he should be starting in Qatar.
But whilst White and Ramsdale may have seen their claims to a spot in the team strengthened by their absences, Saka was definitely strengthening his on the pitch.
Playing in his best position on the right-wing, Saka was the spark behind England’s comeback and has to be starting matches when the competitive action rolls around in November.
