Chris Sutton has claimed that West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen suits playing with Tottenham striker Harry Kane for England ‘better than’ Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, as he told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.
On Saturday, as England suffered a 1-0 defeat to Hungary in the UEFA Nations League, Tottenham’s main man started up front, with Bowen handed his international debut after an outstanding campaign with West Ham.
Whilst Saka also enjoyed his best season in Arsenal colours – he scored 11 and supplied 7 assists from his 38 Premier League games, it wasn’t enough to hand him a start in Budapest.
Although, the 20-year-old was a livewire when he was brought onto the field of play by Gareth Southgate in the second half, as the Three Lions chased a goal.
Nonetheless, England were heavily criticised for their pretty abject display yesterday, as Sutton feels that Bowen, who he feels is similar to Heung-Min Son, is more suited to playing alongside his captain than Saka.
“He (Bowen) did very well,” said Sutton. “I think he suits Harry Kane better than Saka off that right-hand side. I think Saka is more of a dribbler.
“If you are asking me, who would start at the World Cup? I would start Bowen over Saka off the right-hand side because he suits Harry Kane.
“You know how Kane plays at Spurs with Son. That movement in-behind. Bowen does the same thing.”
BOWEN AND SAKA FIGHTING FOR WORLD CUP SPOTS
Kane is an obvious pick for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but the two in-form forwards from West Ham and Arsenal will be fighting for a place.
In truth, at the rate they are going, they both should be picked by Southgate, but a lot could change from now until November.
Whilst their form might be out of the window now, the likes of Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rahsford are in the wings.
And if their form picks up at the start of next season, then Southgate will have a number of big calls to make, including possibly leaving out a few big names because it will happen.
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