Micah Richards believes England must build around Harry Kane at the World Cup, but has warned Bukayo Saka’s way of playing might not fit what Thomas Tuchel wants his wingers to do.
Saka is one of four Arsenal stars heading to the World Cup with the Three Lions, with Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice and Noni Madueke all joining him on the plane.
🏆 Which Arsenal star will go the furthest at this summer’s World Cup?
Zubimendi and Spain? Saka and England? Saliba and France?
After helping end Arsenal’s 22-year wait for the Premier League title, the winger will now be hoping to play a key role for England at the World Cup.
But Tuchel’s system, built around Kane, could mean Saka faces the prospect of being left out of the team, and Richards has explained why.
Micah Richards says Bukayo Saka might not work with Harry Kane
Micah Richards believes that England needs runners around Harry Kane, and Bukayo Saka is someone who prefers the ball at his feet.
The Three Lions are expected to build their team around Kane, who will look to drop deep and pick out attackers in behind.
Marcus Rashford could be the perfect fit as he did that role so well for Barcelona, but in the case of Saka, he prefers to get on the ball too much.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Richards said: “I think at the World Cup, Harry Kane is key, isn’t he? He’s England’s main man, essentially. So you’ve got to work around his strengths or weaknesses.
“He knows he wants to get on the ball. You know he gets frustrated. You know he goes really deep. Just play two wingers. I’m looking at Rashford. He loved to get in behind for Barcelona. Unbelievable running behind.
“Saka can do it, but he likes to get on the ball too much. You can’t have two of them coming towards the ball unless you play someone who’s willing to run in behind from a midfield area.”
Ollie Watkins could be the man to start on the right wing for England and be the runner in behind, just like he was in the recent friendly against New Zealand.
How much are these five Arsenal players really worth according to you?
“That’s the sort of conundrum with Jude Bellingham because he wants to get on the ball, and he wants to arrive,” added Richards.
“So it’s just getting that balance right, isn’t it? But Jude will bomb forward. But it’s at the right time, though, you know, he wants to be involved in the play, and then he wants to get it if Harry Kane gets the ball in the middle, then Bellingham has got to go.”
Tuchel needs to find a way to get Saka into the team, though, as the Arsenal star remains one of the best attackers in world football and could be key for England’s hopes of winning.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
