England midfielder Kalvin Phillips has revealed he tried his best to console Arsenal's Bukayo Saka after England's Euro 2020 final defeat.
Saka enjoyed an extremely productive campaign with the Gunners last season, consistently performing in a plethora of different roles, including wingback, midfielder and on the wing.
The skilful teenager notched eight goals and ten assists across all competitions to earn himself a spot in Gareth Southgate's Euro 2020 squad, an inclusion that surprised some rivals fans who argued that Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard was more deserving of a place in the squad following his successful loan stint with West Ham.
However, Saka quickly proved the doubters wrong, starring in England's final group game against the Czech Republic, earning himself Uefa's star of the match before another solid display against Germany in the round of 16 when they defeated Joachim Low's side 2-0.
The Hale End graduate then assisted the equaliser in the semi-final, firing in a pin-point cross towards Raheem Sterling that was eventually bundled in by Danish captain Simon Kjaer, sending the game to extra-time before Spurs frontman Harry Kane scored the winner.
However, The Three Lions' campaign ended in bitter defeat when Saka, along with Manchester United duo Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford failed to convert their spot-kicks during the penalty shootout against Italy in the final.
And Phillips, who was one of many England players to console the 19-year-old after the Azzurri lifted the trophy, revealed what exactly he said to Arsenal's reigning player of the season.
“In the way, we lost the final, especially for Bukayo, because he’s so young on a big stage, I just felt like I needed to go over and console him", he said in an interview with the Times.
“I just said, ‘Don’t worry about it, it happens in football, lift your head up.’ After the game, in the changing room, I’m just saying, ‘We all think the world of you."
