Chris Sutton Backs Bukayo Saka to be Key in England’s Euro 2024 Final Against Spain**
Chris Sutton believes England’s best chance of winning the Euro 2024 final against Spain is by utilizing Bukayo Saka to exploit Marc Cucurella’s defense.
Despite struggling to find their top form and facing intense scrutiny, the Three Lions have made it to their second consecutive European Championship final. Their standout performance came in a 2-1 comeback victory over the Netherlands in the semi-final, secured by a 91st-minute winner from substitute Ollie Watkins.
In contrast, Spain has been widely regarded as the best team in the tournament, winning all six of their matches against tough opponents like Italy, Croatia, Germany, and France, and scoring the most goals (13).
Saka is England’s ‘Best Chance’, Says Sutton
Gareth Southgate’s men will enter the final in Berlin on Sunday as slight underdogs but boast a squad filled with world-class talent capable of defeating the best teams on any given day. One of the standout performers for England in Germany has been Bukayo Saka. He scored the equalizer in the quarter-final against Switzerland and ranks among the top two of his teammates for take-ons completed (14), chances created (6), and crosses completed (7).
Saka is expected to face Marc Cucurella in a duel that will bring the Arsenal vs Chelsea rivalry to the international stage. Cucurella, who has silenced many critics with his strong performances for Spain, will need to be at his best to contain Saka.
“England’s best chance is probably if they can get Saka one-on-one with Marc Cucurella — Spain’s left-back — because he can cause him all sorts of problems,” Sutton wrote in his predictions column for BBC Sport. “That’s not because I think Cucurella is a poor player, but because I don’t see any weaknesses in any other areas of the Spain team.”
Despite Saka’s potential to create opportunities against Spain, Sutton still predicts a 2-1 win for La Roja.
“Southgate’s side are growing in confidence, plus they have togetherness and individual players who can hurt Spain, but I don’t think it will be enough,” he said. “Nothing would please me more than seeing England get over the line and for Southgate to fly home as a European champion, but I have not been backing them blindly throughout and I am not going to start now.
“I am going with Spain to win, because they are in sync, they have been so superior so far… and I don’t see England stopping them.
The Arsenal vs Chelsea Rivalry on the International Stage
The individual battle between Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella will be a focal point in the final, showcasing the Premier League rivalry on the international stage. Cucurella has been a key player for Spain, proving his doubters wrong, but he faces a tough challenge against the in-form Saka.
As England prepares for this crucial match, the performances of these players could play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the Euro 2024 final.
