Hope you are having a brilliant Sunday.
The weather in Essex is extremely changeable right now. Raining one moment, bright sunshine the next. I spent yesterday building my new garden furniture ahead of the England game. It is still unused!
I was delighted that Bukayo Saka scored yesterday and nailed his penalty.
Saka has become a bit of a “hate figure” for opposing fans. They are quick to call him to be dropped, call him overrated and have a go at him.
I am not sure how anyone can hate on him. He plays football in the right way, does not throw himself to the floor or look to injure opponents, and is a bright, humble young man. Saka is not only a credit to Arsenal, but also to England, and a huge credit to his parents.
For me, Saka is England’s best attacker. He is levels above Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer, whilst Harry Kane is clearly on the wain.
Foden is brilliant, but he is helped out at Manchester City by being their worst forward. That means he gets less attention and is gifted more space as opposing teams focus on stopping Kevin de Bruyne, Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva. Saka is often doubled up for at Arsenal and still excels. I am not sure Foden would reach that same level.
Bellingham meanwhile is a superstar in the making, but he has the tendency to drift in and out of games. He still has levels to go up once he becomes more consistent. Being a top midfielder is not just about the goals you score.
As for Palmer, it takes more than a good debut season before you should be called world class. What he did last season Saka has been doing for 3 or 4 seasons. Like Bellingham he needs to show consistency.
For me, Saka’s time as Arsenal and England’s “Star Boy” needs to be over. He is now England’s superstar. We no longer talk about his potential but his actually ability. I would struggle to name more than 1 or 2 right wingers who are better than him.
As I write this blog, it has begun pissing down again. Time to brew a coffee and settle in for the Grand Prix.
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.
