Manchester United hero blasts Bukayo Saka and names two wingers he prefers

Bukayo Saka has come in for some sharp criticism (Picture: Getty Images)

Former Manchester United and England full-back Paul Parker has again questioned the quality of Bukayo Saka, saying he doesn’t understand the hype around the Arsenal star.

Still just 24 years old, Saka has racked up 265 appearances for the Gunners and won 44 England caps.

He has been a creative force from the right wing for Mikel Arteta’s side, with 54 Premier League goals to his names and 45 assists in the top flight.

Saka has proved his worth in Europe as well, scoring six goals in last season’s Champions League after netting four the previous campaign.

Parker is yet to be convinced, though, and thinks Saka’s place in the Arsenal team should be in serious danger as he prefers the talents of summer signing Noni Madueke.

‘Chelsea let Noni Madueke go to Arsenal even though he’s one of England’s best wingers,’ Parker told WhichBookie. ‘He came on when Arsenal were behind against Liverpool and I think he looked really positive. I thought it was a strange decision for Chelsea to let him go.

‘With the way he plays, I actually think he’s better than Bukayo Saka. Saka doesn’t go on the outside, he doesn’t have a great change of pace and he doesn’t frighten defenders. Madueke does strike that fear into defenders because he wants to run at players and go past them.’

Noni Madueke has impressed for England under Thomas Tuchel (Picture: Getty Images)

The 19-cap former England defender feels Saka has been over-hyped by Arsenal supporters and is not only less threatening than some of his rivals, but also an injury concern.

‘The problem is that Saka is like a god to Arsenal fans,’ Parker continued. ‘He knows he’s going to play every game.

‘We used to call Paul Ince “The 11th hour”, because, like Saka, he’d always be out injured until just before the game, then he’d declare himself fit. That makes everyone say, “oh isn’t he brave.” Saka is the same.’

Saka is currently sidelined with a hamstring problem (Picture: Getty Images)

He added that Chelsea’s 18-year-old Brazilian Estevao is another player he prefers out wide, saying: ‘I just don’t get the hype around him. I really don’t understand it.

‘I wouldn’t take him over someone like Estêvão at Chelsea. You’d rather take a chance on him because he’s got pace and, as a defender, you’re always worried about him getting in behind you.

‘As a defender, you want things to happen in front of you and that’s what Saka does by cutting inside, while Estêvão is willing to go both ways to beat his man.’

Parker certainly has a bee in his bonnet about Saka as this is not the first time he has hit out at the England star.

He previously described the Gunners hero as ‘overrated’ and has already this season suggested he is predictable for defenders.

‘When you talk about Saka, I think he needs to get different pictures in his game. Everything is the same,’ Parker told Metro via 7bet football betting after Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Manchester United.

‘He hasn’t got tremendous pace. Has he really got a trick to go past people? No – he’s looking for people to dive in all the time.

‘If you stop his run, then he hasn’t really got anything else in my opinion.’

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