As the star of Bukayo Saka grows brighter with every dazzling performance on the pitch, his national team manager Gareth Southgate couldn’t help but reflect on the journey of Saka as Southgate hailed him a: “fabulous kid”.
Talking to The Mirror, Southgate has applauded the way Saka has put the Euro 2020 disappointment behind him and continued to hone his craft. He is unsurprised by these events as Saka has managed to become a popular member of the squad for both club and country.
Southgate said: “I don’t know if it’s a surprise, because of how he is. He’s got brilliant support and a great family. His value has been brilliant with him here, he’s felt the love of the players and staff immediately”.
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Following the gruelling Euro 2020 final loss to Italy in which Saka missed the crucial penalty, he was inundated with racist abuse unlike that which had never been seen. But the 20-year-old has firmly put that disappointment behind him and used the 2021/22 season to solidify his status as a world-class player. The Englishman managed 11 goals and 7 assists for Arsenal and solidified himself as a starter for both club and country, his magnificent campaign capped off by winning Arsenal’s player of the year for the second consecutive season.
Southgate continued to wax poetically saying: “He just quietly goes about his job, but I think you see the consistency of his performances and quality of his play. He scores goals, he makes goals and defends for the team. He’s a fabulous kid. If your daughter brings Bukayo home, you’d be more than happy”.
Having only broken into the Arsenal first team in the 2020/21 season, it is a testament to the character of Saka that he has managed to make such a strong impression on not only his national team manager but the wider population in general.
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Finally, with his ever-improving quality on the pitch, the Arsenal hierarchy will be desperate to tie Saka down to a new deal this summer. Saka currently has two years left on his current deal and has become the talisman in this youthful yet evolving Arsenal side.
The Arsenal board will have it as a priority to reward him for his recent performances as he has become one of, if not the most sought-after young players in world football.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Arsenal, Bukayo Saka, Gareth Southgate, England