Arsenal legend Ray Parlour believes that Bukayo Saka should keep his place in the England line-up ahead of Jack Grealish despite the latter’s fantastic impact off the bench in the Round of 16.
The Aston Villa captain was introduced in the second half of the encounter with Germany when the score was still tied at 0-0 and immediately made a huge difference to England’s attack.
He played a pivotal role in the build-up for Raheem Sterling’s goal in the 75th minute, before assisting Harry Kane who headed home Grealish’s delicate cross four minutes from time.
However, 19-year-old Saka also impressed in the first-half, and Parlour has suggested that Grealish could be England’s super sub moving forward.
“This tournament has been really good for substitutions making an impact,” Parlour told Gambling.com. “Grealish was very much needed in the game and he set up the second goal and had a hand in the first. Gareth got it right and now we’re in the quarter-finals which is great.
"It was great to see Saka keep his place because I thought he had a really good game against the Czech Republic and was well worth another chance. He played well again in the first half when he was on the ball.”
And the former Arsenal invincible thinks that Saka deserves the chance to start in the quarter-final against Ukraine.
“I think he (Saka) has done enough, he was one of the better players in the first half when no one really stood out," Parlour added.
“Gareth (Southgate) shuffled the pack in the second half but I can see him maybe starting against Ukraine because he’s dangerous. He had a great season at a struggling club and I think Gareth knows what he gets with Saka.”
If England win as expected on Saturday they will reach the semi-final of the competition for only the third time, matching up against either Czech Republic or Denmark.
