Gary Neville shares whether he thinks Bukayo Saka should be starting England's next World Cup game now

By Milo Clay

Gary Neville has shared with Sky Sports whether he thinks Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka should be starting in England’s next World Cup game now. 

Saka has been incredible for the Gunners this season and has played a key role in their near-flawless start to the new season. 

The 21-year-old has already bagged five goals and provided six assists under Mikel Arteta this season. And he carried his form into Qatar last week as he bagged a brace on his World Cup debut against Iran. 

But after a lacklustre England display on Friday against the USMNT, Saka dropped to bench alongside Raheem Sterling during the 3-0 win over Wales yesterday.

Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford got amongst the goals last night and now Neville thinks Southgate should stick with the pair on Sunday. 

Neville on Saka 

England are set to face-off against Senegal in the last-16 of the tournament after topping their group. 

Rashford bagged a brilliant brace last night, while Foden impressed and grabbed himself a goal on the opposite flank too. 

Southgate now has a tough decision to make over his wide players and Neville would like to see him start Rashford and Foden after last night. 

“I thought he [Foden] did really well because I think there was pressure on him from the moment that game [vs USMNT] finished. There was massive focus from everyone, what it felt like, on Phil Foden and on Gareth as well to get him involved,” Neville told Sky Sports. 

“It’s right that he was involved. Phil Foden has got the precision of a central midfield player in his passing but plays wide. He can beat a man, he can score a goal. We saw that last night, some of the runs he made were fantastic. He won the free-kick for Marcus Rashford’s goal. 

“I would keep those two in. But I love Raheem Sterling and I love Saka as well so I couldn’t really complain. Sterling has been a brilliant performer for Southgate so it’s really difficult to see what could happen, whether we could see two play out of the three and one drop in behind.” 

It seemed harsh to drop Saka for last night’s game, especially after he was the standout performer against Iran. 

But Southgate’s decision proved to be right and now he faces a really tough call ahead of the Senegal game. 

Saka will be hoping he can force his way back into the starting line-up after he hasn’t really put a foot wrong in Qatar. But the fact he is fighting for a place in the side just emphasises how brilliant England’s attacking options are.