Speaking on the Sky Sports Football Podcast, Jamie Redknapp has been discussing Bukayo Saka after his brace against Iran.
Saka put in a Man of the Match showing on his World Cup debut against Iran, netting twice, but he was denied a hat-trick as he was subbed off in the second half.
As a pundit in the stadium, Redknapp had a good look at Saka when he came off, and he says that the winger looked a bit annoyed to not be allowed the chance to score his hat-trick.
Redknapp noticed Saka’s mood
The pundit discussed the winger’s reaction to being subbed off.
“I was absolutely delighted for him. His performance and his two goals. He started really well and he worked well with Kieran Trippier, they’re so difficult to play against.
“What a lovely start. I had a little look at his face when he came off after two goals and I bet he was thinking ‘I could get a match ball here’ and that would have been great for him, but we have to look after these players and make sure everyone is fit and getting everyone onto the pitch was important too.”
Right to be annoyed
Redknapp says he could hint a sense of frustration on Saka’s face, and he’d have every right to be annoyed.
The reality is that Saka may never get such a golden opportunity to score a World Cup hat-trick against a team that simply weren’t at the races that day with a substitute goalkeeper in between the sticks.
Of course, personal glory needs to be put aside when you’re at a World Cup, but you can absolutely understand why any player would want to net a hat-trick on their debut appearance on the world’s biggest stage.
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