Saka has played left back for half of that time and broke out for real this winter. He’s smarter, works harder off the ball, stretches the defence with runs in behind while also being able to drop deep and receive. He’s also a bigger goal threat than Sancho on the right despite what your stats say (Saka has only played on the right for half a season). Sancho isn’t even the same player type, so if you want him to start you half to bench Grealish who is a more comparable player (or Sterling who gives the attack an important dynamic). Saka and Grealish have been Englands best players this tournament and don’t deserve to be dropped.
I counted, and he only played LB 3 games.
I'm not sure what playing on the right versus the left matters. Sancho scores playing on both sides. He had 14 goals in 1102 minutes playing RW this season. Did Saka have anywhere close to that? No, he didn't.
Saka might be good in a few years, but this is a little like the Mount discussion. He might do other things that don't show up on the scoresheet and I'm sure he has plenty of intangibles, but England has 2 goals in 3 games. You need players that influence what wins games, goals. Their best offensive player is sitting on the bench having played 6 minutes through 3 games. Saka, Grealish, Sterling, Foden, it doesn't really matter. You play your best players. England has 2 goals in 3 games, and they aren't playing their best attackers. How are you making a serious argument that Sancho shouldn't be playing?
