Euro 2020: 3 tasks for Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka in England vs Italy final

2. Bukayo Saka vs Emerson One of the Deciding Battles

This. Will. Be. Tasty.

Looking at this frightening Italian side, the weak link is obvious. Were Spinazzola playing then we’d be talking about one of Gli Azzurri’s greatest strengths, but with Emerson coming into the game as his replacement that turns on its head.

The Chelsea left-back isn’t terrible. He certainly isn’t anywhere near the Roma man’s level but what is crucial is how little football he has played this season. Emerson started just two Premier League matches all term.

Saka has the potential to destroy him. Those out to in runs are one of England’s most lethal weapons.

In both full-back positions is where England will have most of their joy since Raheem Sterling is in the form of his life and going to feel like he has a similar opportunity against Giovanni Di Lorenzo on the opposite flank. However, Saka will twist and turn Emerson out, force him to dive in at the wrong moments and drag him out of position.

Walker has been the more defensively minded full-back in England’s side but he has real potential to exploit those weaknesses. Whoever plays in the middle, whether Mason Mount or Jack Grealish, will have Saka to one side inviting the extra man cover and freeing up half-space potential.

Southgate has favoured starting Saka and then bringing him off by the half hour mark but if the 19-year-old gives Emerson the nightmares he has the capability to do then it’ll be the Italian making way early doors.

With movement so divine and farcically intelligent for someone his age, we’ll know seconds into the match whether he has Emerson on toast or not. The uncertainty becomes visible in the opponent with the way he uses space mere moments after kick-off.