Darren Bent says he’d start 22-year-old Arsenal player over ‘world-class’ Man City star

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Darren Bent has claimed that he’d start Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka over Manchester City star Phil Foden for England.

Both players have been in exceptional form this season and look set to compete for the Premier League title once again.

Bukayo Saka has managed 26 goal involvements in 31 appearances off the right-hand side for Arsenal this term.

As for Phil Foden, he’s operated centrally and out wide, having a hand in 25 goals in 36 games for Man City.

There isn’t much to separate the duo and Gareth Southgate faces the task of fitting both players into his starting XI at Euro 2024 this summer.

But Darren Bent believes Saka should start off the right-hand side for England, over Foden.

Bent says he’d start Saka over Foden

Speaking on talkSPORT, Bent was asked if he’d pick Saka over Foden for England.

“I just think Bukayo Saka for England has been outstanding,” he said.

Andy Goldstein responded: “What about club level? Do you think Saka is better than Foden?”

“No my point is, I would find a spot for Phil Foden [for England],” Bent argued.

Goldstein pushed Bent for a definitive anwer and said: “But you’ve only got one place… so do you think Saka is better than Foden?”

“I’m playing Saka on the right,” Bent responded. “I think he’s more effective. Yeah [he’s better], he’s more effective.”

He added: “I think it’s a flip of a coin with them two [who’s better] but starting for England is Saka.”

Foden has mainly operated off the right-hand side for City this season. But he did enjoy a spell in midfield back in December.

He’s arguably enjoying his best season to date for the Premier League champions. But Saka continues to impress for Arsenal. 

Rio Ferdinand recently told TNT Sports that while he believes the 22-year-old Arsenal star isn’t quite world-class just yet, he feels Foden has reached that level. 

It will be intriguing to see if Southgate manages to fit both players in his starting XI for England this summer. Foden has shown he can operate on either flank and at this stage, you’d imagine that Saka is a guaranteed starter off the right-hand side.