England are gearing up for the Euro 2024 round of 16, with the Three Lions locking horns with Slovakia for a spot in the quarterfinals. Declan Rice could play a pivotal role in this game but the Arsenal star was the target of a strange dig from one English legend.
That man is Paul Scholes, with the iconic former Manchester United midfielder taking to Instagram to voice his critique. The 49-year-old posted a set of strange stories, one of which called for Rice to take fewer touches on the ball.
Despite being a defensive midfielder and helping England maintain a rock-solid defense, the Arsenal ace has come under criticism for a lack of braveness on the ball. Scholes thus called for Kobbie Mainoo to play to help the Three Lions "play football".
"Mainoo will make you play, Foden and Bellingham will win you games, think forward and take less touches pls Dec. Laters," Scholes wrote on Instagram.
Paul Scholes shares how England and Declan Rice should approach their Euros last-16 game against Slovakia pic.twitter.com/KMYXyX8bSV
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) June 28, 2024
That was not all the Manchester United icon had to say. The Englishman also weighed in on the Bukayo Saka discourse, with many fans and pundits demanding the Arsenal superstar play at left-back to make way for Cole Palmer and offer balance on the left.
However, Scholes had a different take. According to his post, he believes Arsenal legends — namely Ian Wright — want Saka at left-back out of fear of Bukayo losing his spot in the lineup to Cole Palmer.
Paul Scholes. pic.twitter.com/IOqjiDM1sT
— Chelsea Dodgers (@TheBlueDodger) June 28, 2024
On this topic, the Arsenal winger addressed the call for him to play at left-back. Speaking to BBC 5 Live, the 22-year-old stated that this is not the solution to England's problems in attack and called for fans to simply trust Gareth Southgate's lineup.
"No, obviously I love Ian Wright and he says so many great things about me but I don't think putting me out of position is the solution," Saka said in response,
"But at the end of the day, I think we can we can talk about this but it's in Gareth's hands so we will just have to trust whoever Gareth selects on the day."
Bukayo Saka responds to the suggestion he could play left-back for England against Slovakia #BBCFootball #EURO2024 #England pic.twitter.com/3t1Qo0T539
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) June 28, 2024
Southgate's men return to action on Sunday for their round of 16 showdown with Slovakia. If England win, they will face either Switzerland or Italy in the quarterfinals.