England midfielder Eberechi Eze has thrown his support behind teammate Bukayo Saka ahead of the Three Lions’ FIFA World Cup clash with Panama, insisting the Arsenal winger possesses the quality to unlock even the most stubborn defences.
Saka has been eased back into action at the tournament after recovering from the Achilles injury that disrupted the latter stages of his club season, featuring as a substitute in England’s opening two matches.
With England seeking victory to seal top spot in Group I, Eze believes Saka could prove decisive if handed a starting role.
“Bukayo is a special player. His understanding of the game is incredible, and he has a unique ability to make the right decisions at the right time,” Eze said.
The Crystal Palace midfielder explained that playing alongside Saka has given him a greater appreciation of the winger’s intelligence and creativity.
According to Eze, Saka’s calmness on the ball and ability to link up with teammates make him one of England’s most dangerous attacking players.
“When you play with him, you always know what you’re going to get. He’s so efficient, so easy to combine with and always makes the right choices,” he added.
Eze also praised Saka’s maturity, insisting his decision-making is not accidental but the product of years of hard work and continuous learning.
“People are only seeing it now because he’s on the biggest stage, but he’s been developing these qualities from a very young age. That’s why he’s such a special player,” he stated.
England entered the Panama encounter looking to build on their opening results and secure qualification for the knockout stages, with Eze insisting the team’s mentality remains unchanged regardless of the opposition.
“Our focus is always the same—to go out, win the game and achieve our objective,” he said.
