Arsenal have always had some of the most talented English players in the Premier League.
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are two key players for the Three Lions these days, while Ashley Cole was a key player during the so-called ‘golden generation’.
Speaking on TalkSPORT, Gabriel Agbonlahor has been tasked with creating a combined England XI made up of the modern day team and the pundit made an interesting claim about the right flank.
Indeed, Agbonlahor had to pick between having Bukayo Saka and David Beckham on his right wing.
Beckham was the runner up in the Ballon d’Or running at one point, but Agbonlahor said that he’d rather have Saka, claiming that he likes the Arsenal man’s blend of speed and technical ability and he’s always delivered for England.
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Gabriel Agbonlahor picks Bukayo Saka over David Beckham
Agbonlahor picked Saka over Beckham, sharing his reasoning for his pick.
The pundit said that Beckham has been brilliant for England, but he thinks Saka has the edge due to his pace and technical ability.
“How can you have a combined England team and not have Mr Goldenboy (Beckham)?” Agbonlahor was asked.
“But I think Saka, what he has delivered for England, outstanding at the last World Cup. David Beckham, it’s hard to leave him out. I’ve been in England squads with him, I never saw him miss a shot in England training one, but with the way I want to play, I want speed and technical ability down the right side with Saka,” Agbonlahor said.
Bukayo Saka compared to David Beckham for England
Picking Saka over Beckham is a big call. After all, Beckham is a legend of the game, and Saka is only 24 years old.
However, when you look at what these two have achieved for England, there is a strong case to make here that Saka has actually eclipsed Beckham.
Of course, both men have had similar situations in terms of being scapegoats in big moments. Back in 1998, David Beckham was public enemy number one after being sent off vs Argentine, while in 2021, Bukayo Saka was blamed for missing his crucial penalty vs Italy.
However, Saka has bounced back for England, and he consistently produces for his country.
| David Beckham | Bukayo Saka | |
|---|---|---|
| 115 | Caps | 43 |
| 17 | Goals | 12 |
| 42 | Assists | 7 |
| 3 | Goals at World Cup | 3 |
| 0 | Goals at Euros | 1 |
| 12 | Assists at major tournaments | 1 |
| Quarter-finals | Best World Cup performance | Quarter-finals |
| Quarter-finals | Best Euros performance | Runner-up |
Saka is a world class player, and his performances for England show that.
Beckham has perhaps produced more for England – look at his remarkable assist numbers. However, Saka has gone further in tournaments and has already scored more goals than Beckham at major tournaments.
Saka will be a key player for England for years to come, and when all is said and done, he may go down as one of England’s greatest ever players.
