'Saka in because Greenwood left' - Nigerians react to inclusion of Arsenal star in England Euro squad
Published: June 01, 2021England manager Gareth Southgate on Tuesday announced a finalized 26-man roster for the 2020 European Championship.
The Three Lions boss had named a 33-man provisional squad list ahead of the Champions League final to make provisions in the event of an injury to Manchester City and Chelsea players.
One of the notable inclusions on the list of players heading to the European Championship is Arsenal winger of Nigerian descent Bukayo Saka, who is cap-tied to his country of birth, England.
The teenager was one of the standout players for the Gunners in the recently concluded season, scoring seven goals and registering ten assists in 46 games.
Though Saka was heavily courted by Nigerian Federation, it didn't come as a surprise for most fans when he opted to pledge his international allegiance to England, given that he has played for the Young Lions at U16, U17, U18, U19 and U21 levels.
Many Nigerians have taken to social media to react to England's Euro 2020 squad announcement concerning the inclusion of the Arsenal number 7.
Some are of the opinion that Saka made the squad list because Manchester United starlet Mason Greenwood withdrew from the roster due to an underlying injury, majority were happy that he made the roster, while others questioned Southgate's decision to pick the winger over Jesse Lingard.
Here's what Nigerians have been saying on Twitter about Saka making the finalized squad :
@TheJiggvle : "Is it selfish of me that I wanted Saka to be dropped for @England? My mans has played insane minutes. Needs a rest badly."
@salukenpaul : "So happy for all their young players most esp. Mount, Foden, Bellingham and Saka."
@mamuzoADUMS : "Happy for Saka. Hopefully he gets some minutes in the competition and builds his international career from there."
@OluwaSwizzhits : "Saka’s call up is bitter sweet for me".
@Abidemiilori : "Saka and Abraham are material for England for friendly matches and Kosovo qualifying game".
@investor_god123 : "So glad that my good friend Saka has been selected. Sadly Nigeria are not taking part in the Euros so I will be rooting for my most populated clients England".
@black_jedd : "Saka only made England Euros squad because greenwood dropped out because of injury.Know this and know peace."
@NayaKvng : "Greenwood is better than Saka Southgate is boring. Omg".
@riicojay13 : "Prowse and Lingard should make the team ahead of a right back and saka IMO."
@GreatCheda : "Arsenal Biggest Achievement so far this Year is Saka Going to EUROS".
@black_jedd : "Saka only in because greenwood left".
@Chidubem_OH : "So happy Bukayo Saka made England euros squad. Star boy".
@eddybabs101 : "I told u saka was not gonna be excluded".
@sidramatics : "I knew Bukayo Saka was going the moment Arteta said he spoke to Southgate to use him properly...sigh!"
@VvincentNonso : "How is Saka taken over Lingard though?"
@Flamesalone : "Ward should be there and Saka should’ve been drop".
@moyosore85 : "Hate that Saka is here honestly..".
@Uche05316875 : "Bukayo Saka made the cut to the Euros. Congratulations, you deserved it!!"
@akinyemiopemipo : "Saka over Lingard. This must be a joke".
@salukenpaul : "So happy for all their young players most esp. Mount, Foden, Bellingham and Saka."
@mamuzoADUMS : "Happy for Saka. Hopefully he gets some minutes in the competition and builds his international career from there."
@OluwaSwizzhits : "Saka’s call up is bitter sweet for me".
@Abidemiilori : "Saka and Abraham are material for England for friendly matches and Kosovo qualifying game".
@investor_god123 : "So glad that my good friend Saka has been selected. Sadly Nigeria are not taking part in the Euros so I will be rooting for my most populated clients England".
@black_jedd : "Saka only made England Euros squad because greenwood dropped out because of injury.Know this and know peace."
@NayaKvng : "Greenwood is better than Saka Southgate is boring. Omg".
@riicojay13 : "Prowse and Lingard should make the team ahead of a right back and saka IMO."
@GreatCheda : "Arsenal Biggest Achievement so far this Year is Saka Going to EUROS".
@black_jedd : "Saka only in because greenwood left".
@Chidubem_OH : "So happy Bukayo Saka made England euros squad. Star boy".
@eddybabs101 : "I told u saka was not gonna be excluded".
@sidramatics : "I knew Bukayo Saka was going the moment Arteta said he spoke to Southgate to use him properly...sigh!"
@VvincentNonso : "How is Saka taken over Lingard though?"
@Flamesalone : "Ward should be there and Saka should’ve been drop".
@moyosore85 : "Hate that Saka is here honestly..".
@Uche05316875 : "Bukayo Saka made the cut to the Euros. Congratulations, you deserved it!!"
@akinyemiopemipo : "Saka over Lingard. This must be a joke".
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : twitter.com/BukayoSaka87
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