Roy Keane didn’t hesitate when naming the England player who gets into every team in world football

Roy Keane didn’t hesitate for a second when naming an England player he believes would start for any team in the world.

England have severely underwhelmed at Euro 2024, yet for the third time in four major tournaments, Gareth Southgate’s side find themselves in the semi-finals.

They needed penalties to overcome Switzerland in the quarter-finals, with Jordan Pickford saving one attempt and all five England players converting their spot-kicks.

The Three Lions looked to be heading out of the tournament when Breel Embolo gave the Swiss the lead in the 75th minute, but five minutes later Bukayo Saka produced a superb strike to level the score.

Saka went on to exercise his Euro 2020 penalty demons by scoring in the shootout, and was presented with the UEFA Player of the Match award.

The Arsenal man has been one of England’s better performers in Germany, and in the eyes of former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane, he would start for any team in the world.

“Bukayo Saka would get in probably every team in the world, obviously when he’s at the top of his game,” Keane said on Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet.

“We talk about [Jude] Bellingham and all this… Saka has played a lot of football for a young kid hasn’t he. [There is] a lot of demands at Arsenal to be the top man week-in-week out, it’s not easy when you’re an attacking player.”

Former England defender Gary Neville echoed Keane’s thoughts, arguing that Saka is universally loved by all fans.

“I think it’s really difficult to be universally popular, and I think he achieves that Saka,” Neville said.

“I think Saka is someone who is popular with every fan. I don’t think there are any fans in the country who think ‘I’m not sure about Saka. He’s loveable, as a person and the way he plays.”

England will take on the Netherlands on Wednesday for a place in the final.

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