Southgates an idiot, he doesn't need Saka for those games and has the room to rest him. He should be thinking about Sakas levels at the actual tournament.

BBC have just reported that England have confirmed Saka will be unavailable for international duty in this window.

On the other hand it could be a worry that the injury might be worse than we thought. Hope he recovers well.

Honestly, what would have happened if they'd said he was fit? I wonder how this whole topic was as handled between Gaz and Mick...

    Don Pacifico if they say he's fit then they can play him. Arteta has no way to stop it, if we push the issue we could be fined and player could be suspended.

      Clrnc I don't think he technically can. I remember someone getting in trouble with their nation over it, think it was Kante, the French threatened him with some sort of sanction. Most nations wont call out their players like that. Roy Keane always did it to Ireland, Giggs to Wales, etc but I think they can pursue punishment if they want.

        Hasn't Southgate effectively banished Sterling and Pope for the same reason?

        But yeah, nations have a right to inspect the players themselves when clubs claim they're injured.

        2 months later
        7 days later

        8 goals and 10 assists already this season a third of the way through, that's crazy. The scary thing is I think he's only now just hitting form.

        He's come up trumps this season after some questionable form. Stylistically, he leaves a bit to be desired but goddamn is he effective.

        It must be hard to express your style if you're hacked down the moment you receive it, and pretty much doubled team.
        The times he did have air, he was too basic and predictable. Whole front line poor so it's not all on him.