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Football London
Football London
Sport
Laurie Martin

Why getting the most from Bukayo Saka at World Cup may affect Gareth Southgate's England future

Bukayo Saka has become one of England's key men under Gareth Southgate. Handed his debut for the Three Lions in October 2020, Saka now has 18 England caps under his belt and is an integral member of the squad.

A huge fan of the Arsenal star's versatility, Southgate selected Saka for four of England's seven games at last summer's European Championships, and he'll be hoping to play an even greater role at the World Cup in Qatar this winter.

The 21-year-old is almost guaranteed to make the 26-man squad for the tournament, and he has kept the likes of Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford out of the latest squad for this month's Nations League fixtures.

READ MORE: Ben White a surprise omission as Gareth Southgate includes two Arsenal stars in England squad

However, former England star Mark Hateley believes that Southgate will have a serious decision to make on his future as Three Lions boss after the World Cup, as he may question whether he's the right man to take the likes of Saka, Jude Bellingham, and the nation's best young talents forward.

"Southgate has done remarkably well in the Euros and World Cup previously," Hateley told OLBG.

"Southgate is always under pressure. Southgate is an honest man, after this World Cup, will look at the players like Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham and think, 'Can I take them forward?'.

"Southgate will be honest with the FA to come out with the correct decision, focusing on this World Cup is the be all and end all, don't worry what comes after it. It's been a long time since we've won a World Cup, let's put it that way."

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