'Gutsy & tough' Bukayo Saka backed to become England captain as ex-Three Lions skipper Alan Shearer lauds Arsenal star

Saka has been a key figure for England, having helped fire the national team to consecutive European Championship finals, racking up 42 appearances at the age of 23. The winger has received a lot of praise for his Arsenal performances, too, scoring three goals in 10 matches so far this season.

Saka has already worn the captain's armband at Arsenal on a few occasions since he first led the players out of the tunnel in October last year. Ex-England and Newcastle striker Shearer believes it is only a matter of time before he experiences that honour with the Three Lions.

"It wouldn't surprise me to see Saka as a future England captain too," Shearer said to Betfair. "He's already captained Arsenal and because of his attitude, ability, and the way everyone looks up to him, that to me shows he has all the attributes to be an England captain. When your team needs you the most to pull something out of the bag, Saka can and does do that. I am 100% certain Saka could be a future England captain."

He added: "Bukayo Saka is absolutely sensational in everything he does. He gets whacked every single game, people try to double up on him, kick him and he just goes out and performs with such consistency. He's an incredible talent, has a great personality and he's just impossible not to like. His attitude is second to none; think of the way he has responded to what happened to him with England in 2021, and the way he’s moved on from it. He's just a phenomenal talent, and he's so gutsy and tough as well."

Saka started each of interim manager Lee Carsley's first two matches last month and will likely be in the starting XI again as they take on Greece and Finland in the Nations League over the next week.