'For one game' - England urged to fix ‘painful’ Kieran Trippier problem with controversial Arsenal change mooted
Newcastle United star Kieran Trippier has started all three of England’s Euro 2024 fixtures
Gabby Agbonlahor has called on Gareth Southgate to axe Kieran Trippier from England’s starting line-up against Slovakia this weekend.
The Newcastle United defender has started all of the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 fixtures at left-back. That is an unfamiliar role to where he has played for most of his professional career.
Toon supporters are used to seeing Trippier marauding down the right flank, offering an attacking option from overlapping positions. However, playing on the left-hand side negates his offensive flair, with Gareth Southgate preferring the 33-year-old’s defensive solidity.
England only took one left-back to Germany, Luke Shaw, who has not kicked a ball since February. Criticism has come Trippier’s way for “cutting inside” onto his favoured right foot, with the lack of a natural option also credited as impacting Phil Foden’s game.
Former Three Lions international Agbonlahor urged Southgate to drop the Newcastle stalwart and give Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka a chance in defence. The Gunners wideman burst through the ranks as a wing-back before developing into a right-sided attacker.
“I agree with (the criticism of) Trippier,” he told talkSPORT. “It’s painful watching him at left-back. He just cuts inside every time.
“Listen, playing the Netherlands, I would’ve said no, but for one game only, we’re playing Slovakia who are going to sit back, not getting much going forward, I wouldn’t mind (Saka at left-back) for one game.”
These comments echo what Arsenal legend Ian Wright suggested following England’s 0-0 draw with Slovenia. The 60-year-old insisted moving Saka is “something to look at” ahead of the knockout stages.
“As great as Saka has done for England in terms of what he creates and his goals and assists, he is a natural left-sided player,” Wright said. “He started playing for England on the left at youth level.
“He started at Arsenal on the left. If that’s going to give you the balance and gets you Cole Palmer in the team, it’s something you have to at least look at.”