Steve McManaman has been slammed by fellow pundit Frank Leboeuf after what the former England international said about Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka at Euro 2024.
The 22-year-old winger started every game of this summer’s tournament for the Three Lions as Saka played a crucial role in getting England to the final, with the Arsenal star scoring the equalising goal against Switzerland and then putting away his penalty in the shootout.
Whilst Saka was unimpressive in the final against Spain, the Arsenal forward still showed moments of quality in Berlin against the eventual Euro champions, with England’s wait for another international trophy set to tick over into 60 years.
Yet McManaman has been criticised by Leboeuf for what he had to say on Saka this summer.
McManaman questioned after suggesting Saka as England’s Player of the Tournament
Speaking on ESPN FC, the former Liverpool man was questioned on his suggestion for Saka as England’s Player of the Tournament at Euro 2024, with McManaman saying: “I think Saka has done okay actually as a forward.”
Lebouef replied: “Oh, come on,” prompting McMananman to hit back with: “No, he has been better than most forwards,” to which his pundit seemingly conceded defeat by saying: “He scored a goal, okay, but…”
Indeed, the question of who was England’s Player of the Tournament at Euro 2024 will be a hard one to come to an agreement too given how many figures in the squad were solid throughout the entire competition.
And for Saka, the Arsenal winger could be in with a shout of winning such a title, though the 22-year-old himself will be the first to admit that he wasn’t as good as he could have been in Germany this summer.
Saka knows he could have done better for England this summer
Having just had his best season ever for Arsenal, there were high expectations for Saka heading into Euro 2024, especially with the winger impressing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
And whilst Saka did have his moments and enjoyed arguably his best game ever for the Three Lions against Switzerland, the Arsenal man knows deep down that he could have done much better for England.
Whilst Gareth Southgate’s attacking options as a whole were disappointing despite making it all the way to the final, Saka will be aware that more could have been done to help England, especially in the final last night against Spain.