Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka has told Lions’ Den that Manchester United man Luke Shaw is his favourite in the England squad – putting aside Arsenal and United rivalry to underline just how important the left-back is to him in Qatar.
Saka, 21, has starred for England in Qatar. In the last 16, he scored a third goal at the World Cup – making him England’s joint-first top scorer alongside Marcus Rashford. The Arsenal ace is likely to start again, against France.
Shaw meanwhile, has been excellent on the left. Indeed, he set up England’s first goal of the tournament – it was his cross that Jude Bellingham headed into the back of the net. But their biggest challenge comes up on Saturday.
Saka is enjoying himself on and off the pitch, whether that be scoring goals or quizzing his teammates on their spelling on TikTok. The Arsenal man was asked who his favourite is in the England squad, and he picked United defender Shaw.
“You know what, where’s the camera? I know, he’s watching right now. I’ve got to say his name, Luke Shaw. Hello, Luke Shaw. He helped me a lot coming into the squad, he’s so funny, he’s always just trying to annoy me.
“But he’s so important to me. He’s definitely up there with my favourite players in the squad. He’s been in my position, went to the World Cup at a similar age and he gives me advice on what I need to do,” Saka told Lions’ Den.
Arsenal ace Saka: Manchester United man Shaw is favourite
The connection between England players, despite club rivalry, is more than evident. It has been discussed many times in the past by the likes of Gary Neville, John Terry and Rio Ferdinand that players sat with players from their clubs.
For an Arsenal player to openly admit in the public domain that a Manchester United player is his favourite, would never have happened in the past. But Gareth Southgate has created a club-like, family feel in the England camp.
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