Steven Gerrard criticizes Chelsea player Mykhailo Mudryk following England’s victory over Ukraine.
Gareth Southgate’s team won 2-0 at Wembley, making it two wins from two in their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
After 37 minutes, Harry Kane scored from close range after latching onto Saka’s cross from the right side.
Saka scored three minutes later, jinking past Ukrainian defenders and curling a sublime attempt into the top corner.
Mudryk failed to put enough pressure on his opponent or get him onto his weaker foot, allowing Arsenal’s star to get his cross in for Kane’s goal comparatively unopposed.
Former Liverpool captain Gerrard thinks Ukraine manager Ruslan Rotan will be underwhelmed by the winger’s efforts.
‘From a Ukrainian perspective, it’s fantastic play from England as they open up the field, but you’d be really disappointed if you were Mudryk’s coach,’ Gerrard told Channel 4.
‘With all due respect, he is still learning the game, but you know that you need to keep Saka on his right foot; you can’t let him come in on that left foot because it’s a wand and he makes it right on the money,’ says the coach.
Saka is having an incredible season, having contributed 13 goals and 10 assists to Arsenal’s rise to the summit of the Premier League.
The Arsenal star, 21, and Jude Bellingham, 19, both shone at Wembley, and manager Gareth Southgate praised the duo after the game.
‘The outstanding aspect is the mentality,’ he said. ‘Everyone can see the technical quality, but these two lads are humble and eager to learn. They work extremely hard and are a pleasure to deal with.
‘It’s a high-level polish [from Saka]. That is the ruthless aspect of his game that he has introduced in the last 18 months or so.
‘There were moments when you weren’t sure he’d finish, but he now has that confidence in front of goal.’
